Mississippi kite hawks still around? Louisiana , gulf coast landlords, Brent, thomabear

[Martintown33]

Anyone in Louisiana or gulf south still seeing plenty of Mississippi kite hawks? Brent , thomabear? The last of my martins left about a week ago, but I’m still seeing plenty of kite hawks. I’m seeing many more than I used to, in previous years. They aren’t a danger to adult martins or fledglings, so that isn’t my concern. But flying insects are a big part of their menu, along with small reptiles and rodents. My concern is, with this many of them hanging around and eating up all the dragon flies, will they possibly reduce next years dragon fly numbers, available for the martins. Just a thought. What do y’all think?
Rob

[brent]

Hey Rob. Yes, I do see them occasionally. Just the other day I was with a rehabber who was releasing young barn swallows and they had a couple flying around. I don’t think that they’ll have a major impact on the dragon fly population. A concern of mine is the mosquito spraying and how it affects the dragon fly population as well as others. I wish that they’d stop spraying. Who knows what the long term effects are. Brent

[Martintown33]

Agree Brent. I hate the sound of the bug spray vehicle in the evening. Makes me think exactly what you said, about reducing food supply for the dragonflies, and in turn , the Martins.
Rob

[Jones4381]

Great information and discussion. Dragonflies, I've read, primarily feed on mosquito's and are great insects to have around and I must admit, it's often I've seen the Martin's bringing them in for their young as I've grown like most of us to want more and more dragonflies around for these reasons. Maybe it's just because were on this forum but I'm a believer that my insect population of black flies, horseflies, and other insects that feed on us has been greatly reduced on our daily walks by the relationship and colonization from the PM's. I agree Brent with the poisoning of insecticides and how much of it is now in our DNA from the last 60+ years of this practice. I understand the reasons and purpose but disagree with the concept as their are better, healthier (in so many different ways) of working with nature's design to resolve the problem.

This 6th mass extension event that sapiens are currently conducting within the animal and plant kingdom is something to ponder and try and reverse, even if on a small scale...it's eventually up to us but our record of uniting on causes like this takes generations to reverse and often comes to late but I'm an optimist and believer...but time is never on our side.

[charlesgremillion]

This year I have seen an explosion of Mississippi Kites. This morning I counted five circling over my neighborhood. A big change from last year when I sighted my first one. I suspect that deforestation in my area is the reason. Since they didn't bother the Martins, I enjoy watching and trying to photograph them, Interestingly there is a Coopers Hawk that I see from time to time and always with at least a couple of Mockingbirds harassing it,

[brent]

I love those Mockingbirds!

[Bird Brain]

I still have Kites.

[Martintown33]

Agree.. lots of kite hawks still around… I enjoy the sounds of their call and watching them, but I am concerned about them eating up all the dragonflies. I don’t see nearly as many dragonflies as I usually am seeing this time of year. It can’t be a coincidence that the fewer number of dragonflies is happening, with the first year of the large number of kite hawks.
P.S. I do love those courageous mockingbirds!
Rob

[Thomabear]

Just noticed your post Rob. I definitely have them around. It seems I see at least 1 every time I look up. I too don’t see many dragon flies but I’m not sure if that’s due to the kites. I haven’t seen many dragon fly’s all season.

[Martintown33]

Hi thomabear.. I noticed the dragonflies numbers were down this season too… I’m wondering if it’s because of the influx of all these kite hawks this year.., their main sources of food are flying insects… with an occasional small reptile or rodent.. the kites were flying around my site all season and are still here..
Rob

[brent]

Pesticides are the number one enemy of our insect population. The correlation between the demise of insects and the use of pesticides and the effects of it on our purple martins was discussed during the PMCA conference. It’s scary but it’s true. Not only wide spread pesticide use for agriculture but every home owner that uses pesticides indiscriminately in their yards and gardens are interrupting the ecosystem. We cannot have an environment totally free of insects. Our feathered friends need insects. Kite hawks are not the problem. Brent