Swallow-tailed Kite
Swallow-tailed Kites are rare in Virginia. Dick Rowe had reported one along the Maury River near Glasgow, Virginia, and Walt Childs and I decided to go looking for it. It was overcast and the forecast was for afternoon thunderstorms, but we made the trip there hoping to find the kite and beat the rain. When we arrived in the area where the kite had been reported, we looked for a while, but couldn't find it. We drove a few miles away to do some general birding, and then returned to where it had been reported. This time, we got lucky. The Swallow-tailed Kite was perched on a tree, and we watched it from the road. It spent a lot of time preening and looking around. Every once in a whilte, it would stretch its wings.
Swallow-tailed Kite
Swallow-tailed Kite
Swallow-tailed Kite
Swallow-tailed Kite
Swallow-tailed Kite
Swallow-tailed Kite
Swallow-tailed Kite
Swallow-tailed Kite
Swallow-tailed Kite
Swallow-tailed Kite
Swallow-tailed Kite
Swallow-tailed Kite
Swallow-tailed Kite
Swallow-tailed Kite
Swallow-tailed Kite
Swallow-tailed Kite
Swallow-tailed Kite
Swallow-tailed Kite
Swallow-tailed Kite
We watched it for about 15 minutes, and decide to wait another 15 minutes to see if we could see it flying. It took another 5 to 10 minutes, but waiting paid off.
Swallow-tailed Kite
Swallow-tailed Kite
Swallow-tailed Kite
Swallow-tailed Kite
Swallow-tailed Kite
Swallow-tailed Kite
Swallow-tailed Kite
Swallow-tailed Kite
Swallow-tailed Kite
Swallow-tailed Kite
Swallow-tailed Kite
It circled a few times, and then flew out of sight.
Swallow-tailed Kite
Swallow-tailed Kite
Swallow-tailed Kite
Swallow-tailed Kite
As soon as it was gone, it started to rain. Great timing! But it only sprinkled for a few minutes and then stopped, and the skies cleared. We drove along the Maury River all the way to Buena Vista, and then headed up Route 60 to the Blue Ridge Parkway, and headed north. The parkway was very quiet. All I heard were a few Eastern Towhees, Indigo Buntings, and a Vireo. We stopped at Yankee Horse Ridge (mm. 34.4) to look around. A recently fledged Wood Thrush was near the road.
Juvenile Wood Thrush
Its mama showed up for a minute, and then left.
Wood Thrushes
A few minutes later, mama showed up with a meal for the little one.
Wood Thrushes
Wood Thrushes
Wood Thrushes
We didn't see a lot of birds today, but we saw some good ones!