I have been trying to keep track of, and looking for, some Mississippi
Kites (MIKI) in central Fairfax County (where they have been seen for
several years past) since early July.
I saw one bird on July 7 and saw and photographed a male at a different
location on July15 and August1.
Since then I have found no kites, specifically no hatch-year juveniles.
My friend Bob Augustine (a kite finder like no other) spent 7 hours
yesterday carefully checking all the usual places for kite sightings.
He found nothing (except a couple of quick flybys over a swimming pool).
We both think that all the nesting was probably disturbed and destroyed by
that huge wind storm we had in late June.
I do not intend on looking for kites again this year.
I went looking for migrating Nighthawks last night, however.
I found one bird hawking insects over the Air force Memorial, on the hill
above the Pentagon about 9 p.m.
I also checked the Washington Monument and the Capitol Dome in downtown
D.C.,
Both have been very good for Nighthawks in the past.
I found no birds at either location last night.
We should begin getting more Nighthawks soon.
--
Donald Sweig
Falls Church, Va.
