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3 - 5 APRIL 2001 SURVEY RESULTS
We conducted our 3rd
annual survey for STKI nesting activity on the Altamaha River last week,
April 3 - 5. With the
assistance of Georgia Power, International Paper, and Rayonier, we
surveyed 13 points along the south side of the Altamaha from Clayhole
Swamp (just outside of Sterling) to the Hwy. 169 bridge (across from Big
Hammock WMA). Our route
typically consists of 15 survey points, but high water and deep sand
restricted access to 2 of the points. (Although the assemblage of wading
birds including wood storks, little blue herons, great egrets, and white
ibis feeding on fish in the road was beautiful, it did not bode well for
access to our second point in Clayhole Swamp. After getting the big
crane stuck in the sand near Paradise Park, we had to pass on the point
even further down the sandy road - big thanks to Sansavilla Area
Manager, John Evans for a helping hand or more accurately backhoe to
unstick the Condor). The survey is quite a
production and possible only because Georgia Power provides the use and
safe operation (thanks to Glenn Willis) of a very large Condor Crane and
the timber companies allow access to some critical survey points.
Fully extended the crane will reach 150 feet into the air but
that's sort of like standing on the top rung of the ladder.
We typically survey from 120 - 130 feet and stay in the air at
each point for 30 minutes. Although,
if there are kites zipping about, we have a tendency to linger.
The height of the crane allows a view over the canopy of the
floodplain forest of the Altamaha - quite an awesome sight.
Because of their distinctive profile and flight pattern, kites
are visible for at least 1 ½ miles and likely up to 2 miles (although
most confirmed sightings are closer). The total number of
kites for the 3-day survey period was 11 for 2001.
This is slightly lower that the 16 seen in 1999 and 20 seen in
2000. The inability to set
up at 2 points and the chilly, drizzly weather undoubtedly influenced
the results. The highlight
of the week was a close encounter of the kite kind at Altamaha Park.
After surveying for about 15 minutes, we spotted a soaring kite
across the river and west of the RR trestle.
That kite came across the river and circled the crane's bucket
and the Park area for about 10 minutes.
It was an adult with a full-length tail and after a few minutes
was joined by a short tailed bird - a 2nd year bird likely fledged from
the nearby area in 2000. At times, the birds were no more than 20 yards away and at
eye (binocular) level. The
survey assists in identifying areas being used for nesting and this
survey will be followed up with ground and helicopter searches for nests
by Angie Cone and Andrew Walde (definitely the A Team when it comes to
kite field work), our Field Biologists for the kite project working
under the direction of Ken Meyer of the Avian Research and Conservation
Institute. E. J. Williams Return to Georgia DNR Swallow-tailed Kite Monitoring Project
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