[TN-Bird] Brainerd Levee/Mississippi Kite

Brainerd Levee  (Shallowford Road side)
Hamilton Co. TN.
The Mississippi Kite reported by David Patterson was still present today.  
10:20 am until 12:05 pm.

On my way in I ran into 2 women and several kids who had seen the kite.  I 
was told to look for a tree stump just past the 0.8 mile marker.  Looking over 
the stump look for a large Oak tree.  Most of the left half of the tree is 
dead.  The kite was last seen here but well camouflaged.

When I got to that location it was easy enough to find due to the excellent 
directions I had received.  The trouble was the kite must be better camouflaged 
than I thought.  In fact I never did see the kite in that tree!

Around 11:35 I was able to see the kite in such a way that only a dedicated 
hawk watcher would respect.  It flew in from who knows where very low and made 
several oval passes at close range before thermaling up to such a height that 
it could be seen only by the aid of binoculars before it again disappeared.  
Ten minutes late it was back flying the same oval pattern.  This time I got to 
observe it, while it was still low, capture and eat a insect all the while 
still on the wing. 

 At 12:05 I had to leave.  My last view was a superb one!  An immature 
Cooper's Hawk and two immature Red-sholdered Hawks were sharing the same air 
space.  
Occasionally the Red-sholdered would dive bomb the kite.  Not to be outdone, 
the kite would return the favor!  

WHAT A GREAT WAY TO SPEND A LATE MORNING!  Broad-winged Hawk season is just 
around the corner in mid September!!!

Jimmy Wilkerson
Hixson, TN.


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