In case any one is thinking of searching for Swallow-tailed Kites at Gloucester
Point, here are some directions that may prove helpful:
Traveling north on Rt 17 from Yorktown, cross the Coleman Bridge over the York
River ($2.00 toll) then try any or all of the following routes. You can turn
right onto Rt 1208 just after crossing the bridge then turn left onto Rt 1202
(Terrapin Cove Rd) and follow this road to Rt 1210 and proceed to the York
River Yacht Basin where you can park and scan the skies around the mouth of
Sarahs Creek. You can also stop at the church along Rt 1202 for a good
vantage of the sky and woods around the creek. You may want to try the
beach/park area at the base of the Coleman Bridge which can be reached by
following Rt 1208 to its end (past the Virginia Institute of Marine
Science-VIMS).
To reach the area where I saw the bird yesterday, return to Rt 17 and continue
north a couple of miles and look for the Gloucester Crossing shopping center on
your right just south of Rt 216. Drive to the right side of the parking lot
and go behind the shopping center. You can park here and look over the wooded
creek/marsh area towards the southeast.
You may also want to go east on 641 (south of the shopping center) and follow
this road towards the Tidemill and Bena communities. One good vantage is where
Rt 641 crosses the creek (although there isnt much room to stop here).
Continue on Rt 641 to Rt 216 and turn right. There are lots of side roads here
that can be explored (Rt 699 is one good one). Another good vantage point is
behind the Ruritan Club near the intersection of Rt 216 and Rt 643. There are
also some good side roads off of Rt 643 particularly Rt 638 and Rt 642.
As you can probably tell, Ive done a lot of exploring here, if you go looking
for kites here youll probably need to do a bit of exploring also. I spent a
total of 12-14 hrs during three different trips to the area before finally
being rewarded with good looks at this magnificent raptor. Patience,
perseverance and a healthy dose of luck could reward you as it did me.
Good Luck,
Mike Boatwright--
Amherst, VA
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