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C O N T E N T S New Members The Florida Burrowing Owl Needs Your Help Swallow-tailed Kite Research Project Underway April 27
Program Catch the
Migration Sensation! Become an
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Swallow-tailed
Kite Research Project Underway - Mary Jean Rogers Henry R. Sansing, Refuge Manager at Lake Woodruff NWR announced the commencement of a comprehensive study on the swallow-tailed kite, an at-risk species, at a gathering at DeLeon Springs SRA on March 17. The cooperative research program was officially launched with the signing of a memorandum of agreement between U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (Service), Avian Research & Conservation, Inc. (AR&C) (Gainesville) and West Volusia Audubon Society. The memorandum provides $34,000 for the project; $1,600 will be made available by the service and will be matched one-to-one by AR&C. West Volusia Audubon Society will provide $2,000 of in-kind labor. In addition to the partners in the study, representatives from Florida Division of Forestry, Florida Game & Fresh Water Fish Commission and U.S. Forest Service were present. Lake Woodruff NWF is host to the second-largest premigration roosting colony of Swallow-tailed Kites in the Southeastern U.S. About 360 kites congregated there in late July and August, 1998. They were first observed by refuge employee Tom Broderick. Ken Meyer, Ph.D. of AR&C, has studied the Swallow-tailed Kite for 11 years. Meyer and his associates, have tracked the kites during and after migration via radio transmitters fitted on a number of individual birds. They observe the kites from the ground and from an airplane. The wintering grounds in Central Brazil are about 5,000 miles from DeLand. Curiously, the wintering grounds are about as far south of the Equator as the breeding grounds are about as far south of the Equator as the breeding grounds are to its north. The habitat in both areas is much the same. WVAS volunteers began research at locations in or near the 23,5000-acre refuge at once, because the kites’ sojourn on the breeding grounds last about five months. During a 28-day incubation period, they are difficult to find if the nests have not been previously located. The kites become easier to locate once the chicks are hatched and busy feeding time arrives. A few volunteer positions are still available. If you are interested in volunteering at least two mornings each week over the next several months, speak with Kathy Barnard, WVAS liaison with the refuge, or call Michelle Eckman or Brian Braudis at the refuge office, 904-985-4673. Once aloft in the morning, the kites spend their day in the air and it is probably easiest to see them on the wing. Each bird may travel 12-13 miles each day, in a straight line, to forage. If, during April until mid-May, you should see a swallow-tailed kite carrying nesting material, call Michelle or Brian. Other volunteers also are needed to record, at any time, any sightings, wherever observed, by date and location on Doctor Meyer’s worksheet. The worksheets are available for people to carry, keep in the car or to give to co-workers to help locate birds. This activity does not require registration but will be appreciated. Please contact the office or stop by to obtain the worksheets at the refuge office on Grand Avenue north of Mud Lake Road. Der spring is sprung -Anon. |
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