Vermont Rare Bird Reports 2024

Low cloud cover and approaching line of severe thunderstorms.

Sight only, no optics

This was a lifer for me. The species has been on my mind because there was a STKI on an island off the coast of Maine for several days last week. That being said, it was nowhere on my radar while vacationing here in VT. The only other kite species I have experience with is White-tailed out west.

First seen gliding above treeline with two AMCR nearby which provided a comparison for size and shape. The bird flew down the open corridor along Rt. 100, flying North.

Very graceful and buoyant flight. Flight style not direct lines but rather glides with gentle turns and changes in elevation. Reminded me of the flight style of a CONI.

First observed while driving South on Rt. 100. The bird was above treeline with two AMCR nearby. The STKI stood out as a bird of prey but my mind raced to place it: the gliding and color (could tell it was white/black from a distance) reminded me of an Osprey but the long slender wings also had a tern or gull like feel to them. The bird banked and I had my first ventral view with the bird contrasted against the overcast sky: the forked tail was immediately obvious along with the shape of the slender and pointed wings. Luckily there was a driveway for the farm on the side of the road that afforded me a place to pull over. I continued to watch the bird as it glided over the fields along the eastern side of the road. I only observed it beat its wings once, noting quick beats followed by a return to gliding. Flight style also reminiscent of a NOHA. As it flew past our car, the bird was viewed in contrast to the woodline upslope of our position. The clean black and white pattern of the underside of the bird was striking and distinctive. It banked several more times as it passed, offering more great views of the fairly long and deeply forked tail. Two non-birders in the car were struck by this field mark. I continued to watch the bird as it flew north along the road hoping it would circle back around but it maintained its heading and was quickly out of sight.

Seperated from the only other expected black and white raptor (Osprey) by the clean black and white pattern underneath: clean line separating all white versus all black plumage. Also by more slender pointed wings, no signs of fingers in flight and wings less broad than Osprey. Forked tail was the other major distinctive feature that helps separate from almost all other local birds. Size eliminated swallow sp. or flycatches such as STFL.