John and I went to Gladys (Campbell County) to check on the kites today
(Tuesday, August 30). When we arrived at 11:40, no kites were present.
The number of grasshoppers in the field has diminished. At 11:55 we
spotted one Mississippi Kite, fairly high and at some distance from the
field. A few minutes later we picked up the Swallow-tailed Kite.
Initially the Swallow-tailed was pretty high, but eventually got low
enough that the antenna was visible. Neither of the kites fed low over
the fields as we had seen them feed in the past. A brief summary of the
Swallow-tailed Kites sightings follows:
Saturday, August 13 - initial report by Dave Dawson, a nearby resident,
who only saw one Swallow-tailed Kite but has said that there may well
have been two
Sunday, August 14 - Dave Dawson went back to look for the bird but did
not find it (intermittent rain and poor weather)
Monday, August 15 - Two Swallow-tailed Kites observed
Tuesday, August 16 through Wednesday, August 24 - Two Swallow-tailed
Kites observed every day. Mississippi Kites first reported during the
period with as many as 3 MIKI in view at the same time.
Thursday, August 25 - One Swallow-tailed Kite (with antenna) observed as
well as Mississippi Kites
Friday, August 26 - One Swallow-tailed Kite (with antenna) observed;
there was also an observation of a Swallow-tailed Kite (at high
elevation) and the observer was uncertain about the presence of the
antenna; 3 MIKI
Saturday, August 27 - Kites were looked for but not found (two hours,
from 10:45 to 12:45); this was the day that Irene moved up the Virginia
Coast, so weather was not good
Sunday, August 28 - 1 Swallow-tailed Kite observed (with antenna) and 3
MIKI
Monday, August 29 - As far as I know, no one went to look at the fields
on Monday
Tuesday, August 30 - 1 Swallow-tailed Kite observed (with antenna) and 1
MIKI
So, for 15 of the past 18 days, at least one Swallow-tailed Kite has been
present in Campbell County.
Thelma Dalmas
Evington, VA
