Last Sunday, on his way to the Upper Peninsula, a coworker saw a swallow-tailed kite just north of Lansing. Being a seriously out of place Florida bird, the birding listserves were buzzing. Several other people spotted it again Sunday evening. Lise and I couldn’t get away until Monday after work. We sat in cold intermittent rain with a number of other chasers for about three hours with no luck. Met a lady doing a Michigan big year. She had 299 species just in Michigan, and really wanted that bird for number 300. Not to be had that night. Luckily the kite has hung around, being intermittently seen all week. We finally got out this afternoon and saw it after only about 10 minutes of waiting. A quite attractive bird, effortlessly gliding around, and a real treat to see in Michigan.
Looking for a swallow-tailed kite.
We also got an American golden plover this week. That brings our totals to 281 for me and 256 for Lise. That’s with trips to Delaware for both of us, Arizona for me, and California for Lise. Compared to the lady with 299 species just in Michigan. And she has a full time job. That’s hardcore. She probably hasn’t slept since last January.
Ed's and Lise's Biggish Years 