[TN-Bird] Fwd: Mississippi Kite eruption at Agricenter/Shelby Farms
- From: knoxmartin2@xxxxxxx
- To: tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Fri, 11 May 2012 19:46:26 -0400 (EDT)
-----Original Message-----
From: knoxmartin2 <knoxmartin2@xxxxxxx>
To: tn-birds <tn-birds@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Fri, May 11, 2012 2:09 pm
Subject: Mississippi Kite eruption at Agricenter/Shelby Farms
Since my posting last week about the large number of Mississippi Kites being
seen in the vicinity of the Mid-South Raptor Center in Memphis, Shelby County,
I have been astonished at the larger number of birds being seen on an almost
daily basis. Just today I observed large flocks of kites along Ham Smythe Road
just south of Walnut Grove Rd., For those familiar with the area, I saw an
almost continuous flock of kites from the Catchum Lake area east along Smythe
Road past the rehab center almost to the Agricenter itself, a distance of a
mile or more. It was difficult to get an accurate count as the numbers were
quite large, but I am certain it was in the 100's. The birds were active on
both sides of Smythe Road. On the south side they appeared to go as far as the
Wolf River. On the north side there were signs of large flocks across Walnut
Grove in the vicinity of the senior gardens and the penal farm. In my 25+ years
of birding I have never seen kites in these numbers. Last year I saw one flock
of some 50+ birds, but the numbers in the past few day far exceed that. It is
really quite amazing, especially for me as I have a special fondness for kites.
It is well worth a trip.
Knox Martin, Director
Mid-South Raptor Center
Memphis, Shelby County
Other related posts:
- » [TN-Bird] Fwd: Mississippi Kite eruption at Agricenter/Shelby Farms - knoxmartin2
