Posted for Bob Augustine:
The evidence is that there are no Mississippi Kites nesting at King's Park,
so there will not be a "Kite Show" there like last year's.
On Wednesday, July 27 I checked all the spots mentioned in my previous (July
19) E-mail. Those were places I found kites in 2010. So far I have looked
only once and only briefly but I found no kites at any of those locations
either. At this date, activity should make them obvious.
I did find one pair at a location I intend to work up next week. If I can
find the nest, there may yet be a place to see kites nearby.
I encourage all VA birders to be on the lookout for kites over the next 30
days. Once a nestling has fledged, at least 3 kites will be in the air a
lot. Rarely, a nest produces 2 young. Also, many MIKI parents are assisted
by 1-year-old non-breeding sub-adults, referred to as "helpers", sometimes
even 2 of those. So there can be as many as 6 kites in the air from 1 nest.
There are loads and loads of suitable places. What it takes is lots of eyes.
Please post promptly any sightings you make. Questions/info: call me at 301
933 5970.
Bob Augustine
augustinebob8@xxxxxxxxx
Rockville, MD
--
Donald Sweig
Falls Church, Va.
