VA Birders,
This morning, Pat Blyer, Betty Kilgore, and I went to look for the
Mississippi Kite which had previously been reported from the Waynewood
Elementary
School ball field. We were not disappointed. We arrived at the school shortly
before 10:00 am, and after looking briefly around the parking area, we walked
back to the edge of the ball field. I looked up, and almost immediately I saw
a small raptor circling over the trees near the right, back corner of the
field. The bird was fairly low, and we quickly identified it as an adult MS
Kite. It circled a little higher, but then it started flying down the right
side
of the field toward us, and gave us good views before it disappeared behind
the trees along the edge of the parking lot.
Since we had driven all the way down there from Arlington, we decided to
explore Fort Hunt Park, practically next door, to see what we could find
there. Highlights at the park were an Osprey, a Bald Eagle, a Red-tailed Hawk,
a
Great Crested Flycatcher, and a family of Eastern Bluebirds, including 3
spotted juveniles.
Note on directions: To reach Waynewood Elementary School, take the G.W.
Parkway south from Alexandria to Waynewood Blvd., which is about 4-5 miles
north of Mt. Vernon. Turn right on Waynewood, go past the rec. center to the
school, and park in the lot at the far end of the school. The rec. center and
the school are on the LEFT side of the road (not on the right as previously
reported). From the parking area, walk back to the ball field and search for
the
kite.
Val Kitchens
Arlington, VA
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