Yesterday (26 July 2015), a Swallow-tailed Kite was photographed at Cottonmill Lake near Kearney. Below is a photo of the bird taken by the observer, Dave Gleason.
Swallow-tailed Kites historically occurred in Nebraska, but were extirpated before 1900. Since the species was extirpated there is only one other previously-accepted record – a bird observed below Fort Falls, Cherry County, 26 May 2013. Thus, this observation is one heck of a record.
Good birding!
Many thanks to Jim Jenniges for passing along this report.
The post Mega-rarity – Swallow-tailed Kite in Kearney appeared first on NEBRASKALand Magazine.
