May 19, 2009

Linda Felker, Dick Hartman and I observed an adult Mississippi Kite at 1:45 pm on the 19th in Pipestone county.  We observed the bird from about 100 yards for 4 to 5 minutes, as the bird flew ahead of our vehicle.  The bird was first observed just North of the intersection of 61st Street and 70th Avenue, which is about 3 miles South of the town of Pipestone.  After our sighting, we spent about 45 trying to observe the bird a second time but were unsuccessful in our attempt to enjoy a second look and with the 25 mph SW winds its hard to tell where the bird was off to.  But it was heading South when we last observed it.

It will be interesting to see what another day of 30 mph+ winds will bring into the state.

Craig Mandel
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