Swallow-tailed Kite - 12 Aug 2026
Late July thru early September is considered Post-breeding Dispersal time for Swallow-tailed Kites. Post-breeding dispersal is a late-summer behavior where birds leave their southern coastal breeding grounds from mid-July to August and wander northward or inland across the U.S. before migrating to South America. Several sightings have been reported in Ohio the past few days, and since 10 Aug 2026 Swallow-tailed Kites have been reported in Allegan County, Van Buren County, St. Clair County, and this afternoon in Washtenaw County, Michigan! The latter just 30 minutes away. I drove out to Avis Farms South near Textile and State St in Ann Arbor and arrived at 2 pm, A number of birders were present and reported that the kite had been seen a few minutes ago soaring over the tree-line several hundred yards up the road. While waiting for it to reappear I photographed a Sandhill Crane in the field to my right. Just minutes later the Swallow-tailed Kite appeared low over the trees. Und...
