VA Birders,
While sitting out on the deck after a late Mother's Day lunch with my folks at
their place in Burke, an adult MISSISSIPPI KITE blasted over the house making a
large circle in the stiff winds. I had my bins out and stayed on him/her for a
good 30 seconds. Gorgeous bird...
My Dad had actually seen the bird perched in our yard (which backs up to a
power line right-of-way) last Wednesday and was able to confirm the Kite today.
Our house is roughly 2 miles east (as the kite flies) from Burke Lake Park and
other areas of undisturbed, deciduous bottomland forest such as: South Run
Park, Middle Run Park as well as Pohick Stream Valley Park. I have always
thought that Lake Mercer would be a particularly excellent location for a
breeding pair. We'll keep our eyes on this one(s) as well.
Will McPhail
Washington, DC
(Extralimital): on the way back to DC tonight, I stopped at Roosevelt Island
for the reported Cliff Swallows that might be nesting under the foot bridge.
Had at least one bird which eventually landed under the bridge with the Barns
after 10 mins or so. You park in VA along thr George Washington Memorial
Parkway and walk over to the island which is technically in DC. There were some
Barns hunting over the VA parking lot and I suppose the Cliffs could as well. A
nice location for NoVa birders who want wonderful looks at this species.
I also had singing male Bay-breasted, Magnolia, and Blackpolls on Roosevelt. N.
Waterthrush, Parula and Yellow-rumped Warbs were also seen while on the island
for about an hour and a half. Spotted Sand there as well as Solitary on
Columbia Island. I spent some time watching the Potomac for terns (and Jaegers!
See MD Osprey yesterday), but no luck on that front.
Just stuck my head out of the window as I was typing this to catch a glimpse of
a Common Nighthawk over Mount Pleasant- just noticed them back last Tuesday.
