I thought Id check on the three Swallow-tailed Kites from yesterday, so I
got to the intersection of Lowes Gap Rd. and Upper East Valley Rd. in
Bledsoe County at 7 AM (central time) to see if the kites were roosting in
the dead trees. Only one bird was there (200 yards WSW of the intersection).
I then drove the roads immediately to the southwest and to the northeast
looking for the other birds. At 7:40 when I returned toward the bridge on
Lowes Gap Rd. over the Sequatchie River, I saw three kites soaring over the
woods along the river. Upon driving the ½ mile farther to Upper East Valley
Rd. I was surprised to see the original bird still in the dead tree. At 7:45
AM, it flew off toward where the others had been (one was still visible).
The best viewing site is probably near the intersection of Lowes Gap Rd and
Upper East Valley Road. Theres not a good place to park at the bridge, but
the intersection of Lowes Gap Rd. and Old Route 28 has a parking area from
which to walk (and as I left, from there I saw one bird soaring over the
river).
Ed LeGrand
Cumberland County, TN