I would love to keep this discussion going if people have any knowledge
about dragonfly types, insect types etc. that the Swallow Tail might be
eating
in the various habitats.
I would imagine a large bird would prefer larger insects.  I don't know
much about insects but I assume that just like other species they all
have their niches.
What large insect species would hang around over soybean fields? I saw a
post on on Birding Ohio that mentioned some drainage ditches.
Would that significantly change the type of insects that would be in the
fields?  Or would nearby woodlots change the type of insect in the fields
(I'm thinking breeding areas vs. foraging areas but again am just
surmising).
It is supposed to rain this next week, does that change the number or
type of dragonflies?
I realize that with a wandering bird nothing is really definitive but
any discussion would be informative in some way or another. Do we need
separate lists that
do more than just list species seen?

Thank you,

Marie, Fairborn

On 8/17/201 The habitat in that area was, again, open farmland with
numerous scattered woodlots. So I think the habitat where the bird was
seen in Highland County would be fine for this bird to stick around, and
I certainly think this Swallow-tailed Kite would be worth seeking.
[EDIT: just as I was about to post this, I saw a message that Doreene
Linzell and Dan Sanders had just seen the kite again. Way to go, Doreene
and Dan!] Kenn Kaufman Oak Harbor, OH On Sat, Aug 16, 2014 at 10:49 AM,
Paul Hurtado <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>> While this species does have habitat preferences,  this time of year they
>> can wander widely and turn up just about anywhere!
>>
>> Even the best habitat in Ohio for the species isn't guaranteed to make a
>> wandering vagrant stick around. That said, it took me three attempts before
>> successfully chasing my life bird outside West Lafayette, IN last summer
>> (in an area of mixed open agricultural habitat and woodlots).
>>
>> A risky species to chase,  but every once and a while they DO stick around!
>>
>> -Paul Hurtado
>>
>>

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