Suwannee Scout Flies Home!

SUPER news arrived March 17 from Gina Kent at the Avian Research and Conservation Institute!! Our Friends group has been concerned about his well-being because his tracker had not sent any messages in ages. At that time Gina reported: "Suwannee Scout is alive and back in the USA!  He slept in Alabama last night.  He'll start his over land trek back to the Refuge today.  What we now know is that his tracker was not compatible with the cell network where he was migrating and wintering in Central and South America.  All his location data is accounted for, saved during the duration away from cell towers.  Main thing is he's ok and on his way home!  Celebrate!!!"

Follow up reports as of March 25th tell us that Suwannee Scout tested the migration conditions for a few days before crossing the Gulf on March 14, 2026, departing from the northern tip of the Yucatan. It then took 32 hours to fly across the ocean, due north, to Mississippi. He rested there nearly five days, foraging in the big river swamps of the Pascagoula and Escatawpa Rivers before making his way east, through the Panhandle then south to the Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge. He arrived on March 23 and seems to be close to his territory from last year.  Wishing him and all kites a good nesting season!

Celebrate, we will. Hooray for Suwannee Scout!

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Suwannee Scout is home!