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August 2013

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jen brumfield <[log in to unmask]>
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jen brumfield <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Mon, 19 Aug 2013 09:12:31 -0400
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Thanks for posting details Jim. Turns out that the intermediary reporter confused Jim Abrams with Tom Bartlett. 





JB

CLE, OH

www.jenbrumfield.com



On Aug 19, 2013, at 9:08 AM, "McCormac, Jim" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:



> Hi all,

> 

> I was in Indiana over the weekend and mostly off-grid, or I would have gotten this out sooner. When I returned home last night and checked emails, one of them was from Jim Abrams, who lives in the Findlay area and retired not long ago from a several decade career with the Ohio Division of Wildlife. I've known Jim for some time, and while by his own admission he would not count himself among the ranks of hardcore birders, he is a trained observer and very familiar with the state's wildlife, birds and otherwise. He's also seen Swallow-tailed Kites before, in the south.

> 

> Anyway, I've copied Jim's excellent description below, and have no doubt that he did indeed locate a Swallow-tailed Kite on Saturday, August 17th in Hancock County (he provides exact site locale info in his message). Wayward Swallow-tailed Kites sometimes stick around for a few days, so anyone in the area that has time should check this out. Unfortunately this whole thing got pretty garbled in the initial reporting, but I think Jim's report below sets the record straight:

> 

> "Spotted a swallow-tailed kite.

> 

> Details:

> Location: Hancock County, Delaware Twp. along Twp. RD. 186 approximately 1 mile north of old U.S. 30 (now called County 330).

> 

> Time: 11:15 a.m. Date: 08-17-2013

> 

> The bird was in flight. I had two juvenile redtails that have been frequenting our pasture and CRP fields so when I first glanced at this obvious raptor gliding effortlessly in the same area the differences were striking. The redtails' blunted look, broad wings and fanned tail give it the business look of a WWII fighter. This bird had a sleek profile, long pointed wings with black markings and the balance of its body very light in color...white. The tail was the most eye-catching. It was a deep V and held as a wide fork. As it banked slightly toward me I could see the tail flex as if on a pivot point. Distance from me to the bird was about 150'. My first thought? "That can't be a kite...can it?" I had seen them down south...but in the Buckeye State? While not a hardcore birder...I'm no novice and am a skeptical observer....I have the job to thank for that. I contacted Betty Hardesty with the Hancock Naturalists to try to get another set of eyes in the area. If you are thinking osprey...nope. It's mannerisms were of a hunter flying at about 75' over grasslands along the shaded waterway of the Blanchard. It's markings and tail were very different. I watched it for nearly ten minutes and I don't recall the wings moving....pretty darn cool. Can you think of any other possibility?"

> 

> Jim McCormac

> Ohio Division of Wildlife

> 2045 Morse Rd., G-2

> Columbus, OH 43229

> 614-265-6440

> Keep Ohio Wild, learn how you can help @ Wildlife Legacy Stamp<http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/HomeExperienceWildlfieSubHomePage/conservationstamp/tabid/21476/Default.aspx>

> Bird Lake Erie!: www.lakeerieohiobirding.info<http://www.lakeerieohiobirding.info>

> 

> 

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