Hi All-
Yesterday, Thurs May 7, I was cycling at the main entrance to Church Point off
First Court Rd. and at 4:00 pm I observed a Mississippi Kite soaring just
above the treetops of Thoroughgood. It circled a few times and then climbed
super high and headed out of sight off in the direction of the Lynnhaven
River/Kings Grant Area. I thought that was to be my brief FOY sighting, but
around 4:45 pm, I again spotted an adult Mississippi Kite and watched it land
in a tall pine next to a second bird. Over the next hour my parents and I
watched stick carrying, perching, preening by both and then we observed the
pair mating twice in about a twenty minute timespan. The birds were quiet with
no vocalization, and probably quite unobtrusive to anyone not really expecting
them. I left the area at about 6:00pm with both birds perched about four feet
apart on separate limbs. There were brief visits to the tree where they nested
last year, but I did not want to overly disturb the homeowners or the just
arrived birds by trying to have a close look.
If you do wish to observe these birds, be an ambassador for the greater birding
community and respect the surrounding private property.
I was kicked out of ebird again mid report and lost all my comments, so I will
hope to successfully post a checklist later today.
Tracy Tate
VA Beach
