Swallow-tailed Kite Archives - Window to Wildlife

This morning I hit some local birding spots in Waukesha and then wondered where to go next. There was a reported Swallow-tailed Kite in Jefferson County recently seen on and off for the last 3 weeks and sometimes even two of them. I had some time, might as well give it a try. The location it has been seen was McLery Cemetery on Hwy 106. I made the drive and as I’m pulling up to the location the Swallow-tailed Kite was circling above my car! I could not get out of my car fast enough and lens cover off my camera, then I took a few shots of this awesome rare bird for the midwest. It was high up and slowly kept circling around the nearby fields before it left to the north east. Not a lifer but rare for Wisconsin. My previous sighting was in Door County on July 27, 2016. I talked with a very nice lady being parked there and she said she saw this bird about 3 weeks ago in the back of one of her fields and was not 100% sure of what it was. This bird typically breeds in Florida, and winters for the most part in South America. Great find, great bird and a great time. It was a sunny morning with low winds and mild temps early. Images were taken on August 28, 2026.

The Swallow-tailed Kite…

I had not been on the computer all day yesterday until late afternoon and what a nice surprise to see a Swallow-tailed Kite was found in Door County. I arrived at sun up near Fish Creek and the 1st 3 hours were very quiet. Then I followed what I thought was a birder in a car and stopped her as she was turning around in a drive. It was Ann Gamble, the finder of this awesome Swallow-tailed Kite. We just talked for a minute and she said that the location we were at was the main place she had seen the Swallow-tailed Kite. In less then a minute, there the kite was gracefully gliding high up. Probably catching insects on the fly or just enjoying the thermals. It did this for at least 1 hour and for the most part remained distant. The male kite put on a phenomenal show. Talking with Ann, she said the bird has maybe been there a month already as her sister talked of a bird fitting the kite description awhile back. Ann has been following the bird on and off approximately the last 10 days. Thanks to Ann for finding this bird, getting some shots of it, getting the ID, and getting the word out for others to see. A life bird for me and an exciting one at that! This bird typically breeds in Florida, and winters for the most part in South America. Images were taken on July 27, 2016.