On September 24th I was on my usual wednesday morning birdwalk at Tyler Arboretum. There were quite a few of us that morning at least twenty and more kept arriving. I had my camera around my neck and looked up in the sky I saw a large bird. Thankfully I wasn't the only one who saw it. It looked like a giant tree swallow and other more knowledgeable birders said it was a swallow-tailed kite. Others who didn't see it did not believe us. I remember reading on the rare bird alert for Pennsylvania that a magnificent frigate bird was spotted at a Hawk watch I wondered if it could have been that. But looking at the field guide I have no doubt that it was a swallow-tailed kite

I didn't even try to get a picture I was in awe

sarah merion station, Pennsylvania zone 6B

Very nice! They pop up down there from time to time - was Al on the walk? He would know for certain if one had been spotted (but I think he may still be off in the Southwest somewhere...) Congrats on a great sighting.

Jill

Benton, ME
Canon Digital Rebel XT
Canon EF70-300 F4-5.6 IS USM

No Al wasn't on that walk He would know for sure. Tom Reeves was in the Poconos. I was so excited right after the walk I went to Rose Tree Hawk Watch to ask them if they spotted it. Holly Merker did not but thought it might have been the magnificent frigate bird that was spotted just north of there at the Fort Washington Hawk Watch. But then Janet Crawford came back and said it could have been a swallow tailed kite because one was spotted at the Cape May Hawk Watch. Anyway it was exciting!



sarah merion station, Pennsylvania zone 6B

I heard about that bird - good for you. It is the last nesting raptor in the lower 48 the I've never seen - my Holy Grail. It would be simple to go down and see them on the nesting grounds but I want to be surprised, just like you were. Really, really cool.

I feel kind of guilty now Ward. I think you should have seen one before me. All I can say is Tyler Arboretum is a magical place. I consider it an enchanted forest. They even have mushrooms that glow in the dark and that's where I saw my first pileated woodpecker.

sarah merion station, Pennsylvania zone 6B

Their deciduous azalea collection is the best I've ever seen.