Birder Alert! Mississippi Kites Have Arrived on Isle of Palms!

For birders and wildlife photographers, Isle of Palms will not disappoint!

As a Southern barrier island, Isle of Palms offers a multitude of birding and photography opportunities year-round. Because of the mild climate, many birds forego migration and choose to ride out winter here. Others migrate down here from harsher climates while they wait for warmer temperatures to come.

In late February to early March, the amazing Mississippi Kites begin to arrive here to find their mates and raise their families. They have a very tight timeline – they typically begin nesting in May/June, the chicks hatch late June to early July, and the chicks must be independent and ready to make the long trek to South America (Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay) by September! Mississippi Kites love dragonflies as an important food source, so the timing is critical for them. Nature must align for their survival.

A late cold snap or unprecedented warm temperatures can throw a wrench in the whole plan if their food sources, primarily insects, are not in sync with historically “normal” weather conditions. While climate change threatens these types of natural relationships, Mississippi Kites are currently thriving – and they are definitely worth seeing!

If you’re a birder or nature photographer, you don’t want to miss a visit to Isle of Palms. And be sure to listen for the charming Mississippi Kite calls – then look up!

Call me for more great local birding spots – and perhaps you’ll decide while here that you don’t want to leave? If so, click HERE to check out available homes for sale on Isle of Palms. Happy Birding!