Four Swallow-tailed Kites have been reported for about ten days southwest of Lexington, VA. The latest posted sighting was at 9:20 this morning, so Walt Childs and I made the 1-1/2 hour drive each way to look for the Kites. The forecast was for chances of rain in the afternoon, but this species is uncommon here, and we thought the trip worthwhile. We arrived there at 2:45 p.m., and stayed until a little after 5 p.m. However, we didn't see the Kites, even though we found the reported location and also drove around a couple of mile radius from the reported location. It rained for about 20 minutes while we were there, and more birds came out after the rain moved on. We saw 18 species in that area.
American Crow Baltimore Oriole Cedar Waxwing Indigo Bunting Eastern Phoebe | American Goldfinch Rock Pigeon Downy Woodpecker Ruby-throated Hummingbird Great Blue Heron | House Sparrow Red-shouldered Hawk Wild Turkey Turkey Vulture Red-winged Blackbird | Mourning Dove American Kestrel Tree Swallow |
Red-shouldered Hawk
Female Baltimore Oriole
Male Baltimore Oriole
American Kestrel
Wild Turkey
Great Blue Heron
Downy Woodpecker