Date: 8/6/25 9:19 am From: Allen Gathman <agathman...> Subject: Swallow-tailed Kite at Apple Creek Conservation Area
Yesterday "Ted G." reported a Swallow-tailed Kite at Apple Creek Conservation Area in north Cape Girardeau County. Mark Haas and I made a trip there this morning to see if we could relocate it. We drove in on the road that leads to the boat ramp. First we spent a little time at the boat ramp parking lot, where we found a mixed flock of vireos, warblers, buntings, and one early Yellow-bellied Flycatcher (assuming Josh agrees with our description, lacking a photo).
Then we went back 1/4 mile and parked at the camping area. From there, we walked the (recently mowed) trail that leads east of the road up and over a steep hill, and eventually to a shallow pond/mud flat right next to Apple Creek -- about 1/2 mile walk.
There we found a lot of Little Blue Herons and a few Great Egrets, but nothing in the air. Mark suggested we wait and see if, as the breeze picked up, some soaring birds might appear. We agreed we could stand around for an hour or so. Two minutes later we saw several Mississippi Kites over the tree line, and among them was one kite with a wide-splayed forked tail. We watched the Swallow-tailed Kite for about 15 minutes, getting occasional glimpses of its black and white underside when the light hit it just right.
-Allen Gathman Pocahontas, MO
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