VA-birders....
After completing my Breeding Bird Survey route, Lauren Scott and I
visited Greensville County and had great looks at Mississippi Kites. One
kite soared overhead for 20 minutes on the Virginia side of the VA/NC
state lines along Steel Bridge Road. This is the area where they have
been observed for many years. Several other kites were observed in
another location, along Route 186 in NC.
Directions:
From Rt. 301 in Emporia, take Low Ground Road (Rt. 730) east to the area
around the Meherrin River. As you get closer to the river, keep a watch
for the kites soaring overhead. Over the years, we have seen them from
along this road at various locations. A short distance before the
Meherrin River is Steel Bridge Road to the south. This is a gravel road
that takes you beside a swamp that is great for Prothonotary and Hooded
Warblers, Y-b Cuckoos, Barred Owls, etc. If you continue past the steel
bridge, you eventually come to an open area that approaches the
Virginia-N. Carolina state lines. This is a great area for scanning for
the kites. Sometimes, it takes longer than other times for them to show
up.
An even more predictable location for seeing them is in NC along Rt. 186.
Pull well off the road near the railroad tracks about 1/2 a mile into NC
and scan the treeline over the Meherrin River. Depending on where they
are kiting, there are a several pulloffs in this area where you can get
closer looks at the kites. Last year, we had an adult feeding fledged
young in this area.
Exploring this area is quite fun. Swamps and mill ponds are scattered
throughout the area, and there is good habitat for other specialties of
the region.
Best to all, Larry
Larry Lynch
Chesterfield County, VA
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