. . . Or so it seemed. I arrived at the kite site about 4:40, and saw
flying kites right away. Had nice low flying views At one point we had four
( presumably) adults in the air at once and the juvenile in the snag, for a
total of five birds. One of the adults made one of those astounding dives
and came in to feed a cicada to the juvie. Later the Juvie took off and
offered more low aerial views. All very nice indeed. Several folks showed
up for all these activities. For the next half-hour or so, as the people
left, the adults were constantly in view but very high up, just soaring
around. Finally, about 6:00, just when I thought it was safe to leave, I
heard a kite calling about a half a block down the street. The I heard it
again. Thinking that maybe the juvie was in a tree and calling for food,
went down the street to check it out. What I found was large open yard with
a big snag in the back and a kite flying around and calling . I thought it
might be the juvie. But, NO, it was the adult, flying low, in tight circles
and calling again and again. Soon, the other adult showed up and began
circling in a similar manner. One of the adults landed in the snag for
moment and then took off again and resumed flying tight circles calling. In
a moment another bird landed in the snag. I thought a first that it was the
juvie coming in for food. Then I noticed it was, in fact ,a Red- tail hawk.
At this point, the adult kites, presumably thinking the raptor threatened
their offspring commenced to diving on the Red tail and calling loudly.
Eventually they drove the Red tail off the snag and DOWN INTO the green
leafed trees in back, and then presumably out the back as both the adult
kites flew off in that direction calling repeatedly . WOW ! About five
minutes later, both the adult kites were again soaring peacefully over the
regular feeding area. It was all quite something to see. Finally, I got
to leave and get some dinner.
Later, I went to see the Tysons nighthawks again. There were about 20- 30
birds tonight, but they were at their best, down reasonably low and very
actively feeding on insects. It was was quite like an aerial ballet.
I do not know how much longer the kites will remain in the area. I think the
nighthawks should be around for another couple of weeks.
--
Donald Sweig
Falls Church, Va.
