FreeLists / va-bird / [va-bird] Swallow-tailed Kite in Fauquier Co.

[VBKitchens@xxxxxxx]

VA Birders,

    I received a call today from a woman in Fauquier Co., who fortunately, 
somehow, found my name and called me to tell me she had a Swallow-tailed Kite 
on her property.  I was out when she called, and it was nearly 3 pm by time I 
made contact with her and got directions to her property (see below).  I then 
called Joanna Taylor, and we decided to go out and look for the bird.  We 
arrived at the property around 4:30 pm, got out of the car, looked up, and 
saw a Cooper's Hawk.  We watched it for   about a minute when Joanna spotted 
the kite, which appeared out of nowhere and flew directly over our heads, 
very low, circled around, and then headed over toward the mountains, which 
were just west of us.  It disappeared for a short time, and then we saw it 
again; this time it was flying low over the field like a harrier, apparently 
hunting grasshoppers and dragonflies.  The bird is a stunning adult!

    The bird is on the Marriott Ranch property in western Fauquier Co.  We 
learned that the bird has been there for over a week.  Visitors are welcome 
to go and look for the bird as long as they park only as directed and respect 
the property.  Directions are as follows:  From I-66 (going west), take Exit 
27 and go left (south).  Turn right almost immediately onto Rt. 647 (Crest 
Hill Road).  Go southwest about 5 mi. to Rt. 635 (Hume Road).  Turn right on 
635 and go about 4 mi. to Hume, cross Rt. 688, and continue about another 3 
mi. more to the Marriott Ranch (which has a white & gold sign) on the left.  
Turn left into the driveway and go about 1/2 mi. to the Business Office 
(follow sign) and park.  Look for the kite overhead and west toward the  
mountains.  (Look high and low over the field for it.)  The kite apparently 
has been seen pretty much thruout the day during its stay.

    Please report all sighting of the Swallow-tailed Kite to VA Bird.  
Documentation for the VA Avian Records Committee is also needed.

Val Kitchens
Arlington, VA
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