Greetings to all:
I got up early this morning to make the trip to Gladys to look for
the Swallow-tailed Kites. Arriving at 0815 hrs, I was greeted by two
birders from the Maryland eastern shore area Jim Brighton and Jared Satchell
who got up earlier than me and left Maryland at 0200 hrs to look for the
kites. We looked and looked and at 1005 hrs we were rewarded with an
immature Mississippi Kite and then at 1015 a single Swallow-tailed Kite
joined the Mississippi Kite and then after another 5 minutes the second
Swallow-tailed Kite joined up with the kites.
Also seen during the earning morning was a Cooper Hawk and a
Red-shouldered Hawk along with several other species of birds.
The kites put on a great show feeding in the air and I was able to get some
good pictures with their heads down and one of their feet coming forward to
eat. The flew directly overhead and nearby for nearly half an hour before
flying out of sight.
The Swallow-tailed Kite was one bird that I really wanted to add to
my Virginia Life List. There was a group of 10 people there when the kites
showed up.
Good Birding Always.
Jeff Blalock
South Boston, VA 24592
jcbabirder@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
