I traveled to Sequatchie County this morning to look for Swallow-tailed Kites
and other notable valley species not usually seen in Southeast Tennessee except
in the Sequatchie Valley. I met Roi and Debbie Shannon on Stone Cave Road at
mid-morning with some fog still lingering in the area. The three of us had no
initial success finding the kites that had been reported in that area in recent
days. However, four kites were then seen near the intersection of Stone Cave
Road and Tennessee 283. Soon other kites appeared, and Roi and Debbie saw
eleven or twelve. I saw at least nine which landed in or were flying near a
single tree! From there I went to Bledsoe County to look for Scissor-tailed
Flycatchers. Despite traveling into some areas where they can usually be seen,
I failed to find that species, nor Dickcissels. When I returned home to
Birchwood, I traveled to the Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge in Meigs County. About
5:15 PM I observed a lone Swallow-tailed Kite flying near the boundary between
the viewing area and private property to the west of the HWR viewing area. This
was the first time I have ever seen a Swallow-tailed Kite outside the
Sequatchie Valley. I noted 35 other species at various sites for the day.
Charles Murray
Birchwood, TN