I usually see 3 Mississippi Kites in Neyland Park on the N/W side of
Lafayette flying around during the day, and in the evening perched on the
wires at the west end of the park. Tonight was no different: except
seemingly out of nowhere around 7:30 PM, additional kites were circling
around and flying back and forth. At one point I could group count 4, 3 3,
4 for a total of at least 14. This wave of kites circled the area for 5 or
10 minutes. I did not notice any migration pattern, that is they all seemed
localized and not flying in from any particular direction. I believed some
to be juveniles based on what seemed to be shorter outer primaries and
plumage. I did not have a camera for photos of the "kettle of kites".
I guess this is not so unusual as the number was not flagged by e-bird.
John Romano
Lafayette LA
John Romano