For this reason, we have waited to post this article until the birds left the nest site. While we recognize how exciting it would have been for birders to get to see a new and rare species in the state, we should all agree that the welfare of the birds and their young in this instance took priority over the chance to view the birds.
As such, and given this is the only known pair of Mississippi Kites in the state, the Atlas was obligated not to jeopardize their nesting success by divulging their specific location. Subsequent field investigation by dedicated local atlas volunteers quickly yielded two adult birds, and shortly thereafter the discovery of Wisconsin’s first Mississippi Kite nest, complete with one growing chick.ĮBird map of Mississippi Kite distribution for June and July.Īlthough the birds nested near a major city, disturbance by a concentration of observers remained a concern because reports from our atlasers indicated the birds’ behavior was being influenced by human presence even at moderate distances from the nest. But then in late July a local resident spotted an adult kite and reported it to Dianne Moller of Hoo’s Woods Raptor Center in Milton, who kindly relayed the information to Atlas staff. With Janesville not far from the state line, a known pair of kites nesting for 7+ years about 30 miles south in Rockford, Illinois, and the species known for its northward post-breeding dispersal patterns, Atlas staff played it safe by not confirming it as a local breeder and hoped the species’ nest-site fidelity would shed greater light on the situation in 2016.Īlas, Rock County atlasers scoured the area in May and June of this year to no avail. The bird was clearly quite young but its feathers were nearly fully-grown and it was unclear how flight-capable it was. The story actually begins a year ago in 2015 when a juvenile Mississippi Kite was found grounded in the same general area and brought to a local rehabilitator for care.
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