The two Swallow-tailed Kites in Campbell County were still present this
afternoon. Dave Dawson, a local resident in the area, stopped by briefly at
11:30 AM today, as Thelma Dalmas noted, and found both birds present. He was
not able to stay long.
This afternoon he arrived at 1:45 PM and the birds were not present. I arrived
at 2:15 PM, and the first of the two birds showed up at 2:30 PM. It foraged in
the immediate vicinity continually, from a low to a moderate height, and at
3:00 PM the second bird joined it. They stayed in pretty close proximity to
one another the entire time, twice moving off to a distance briefly at 3:25 and
3:50, first to the west, then to the east, for about five minutes each time
before returning to the immediate vicinity of where we were observing.
Shortly after the first bird showed up Dave Dawson noticed that it had an
antennae attached to its back, probably about a foot in length. The second
bird did not have one. The antennae was visible from a good distance away
with binoculars at the right angle.
Jim Elder arrived at about 3:30. A few minutes before 4 PM the two kites
started moving off a third time, this time to the south. Tim Hodge and Adam
D'Onofrio both arrived at 4:05, and we were able to get them on the birds,
which at this point were naked eye in visibility, but continuing to get more
distant. With their scopes Tim and Adam were still able to make out the
antennae on the one bird. The birds continued to drift to the south, and by
about 4:15 PM had disappeared from sight below the tree line to the south.
Jim, Tim, and I left by 4:35 PM, while Adam stayed on a little longer. Dave
Dawson had left earlier.
These are Thelma's directions again, and we were observing at the second gate
(red) that she notes.
Directions: The farm field is in Campbell County, off of Long Island Road
(Route 761) about 2 miles from Gladys. From Route 501 traveling south, turn
right on Long Island Road (Rt. 761). Drive 2.2 miles and turn left at the
driveway of a farm that has "For Sale" signs (Remax Real Estate) on each side
of the driveway. Continue on the driveway past the house, bearing to the right
on the farm road. Drive through the first gate (it is open) and follow the
road on across the field about a third of a mile to the next gate. Park there.
The Swallow-tailed Kites were seen feeding over the fields through which you
just drove. The farm belongs to the McKinney family and they have given
permission for people to come on to their property to look for the kites.
The attached two kite pictures are not spectacular, but were taken with just a
point and shoot Canon PowerShot, which gives you an idea of how close the birds
were. I did not get a close picture with both birds in view simultaneously.
The second kite shot is included as you can make out the antennae on the bird
to some degree. The third picture shows where we stop along the lane to make
observations. This spot seems to be the focus of the kites' foraging. (See
following emails for other two pics).
I believe that Thelma got a number of pictures yesterday, some of which are
probably considerably better, and I understand that someone else was also there
yesterday with a good camera, although the birds were reportedly higher then.
This is a new record for the Lynchburg, Amherst, Bedford & Campbell County
area, and there are only a handful of piedmont records. Thanks to Dave Dawson
for recognizing and reporting the birds!
Gene Sattler
Lynchburg
