Report for Saturday, June 21, 2003
After reading Todd Day's Southside Virginia weekend trip report, I was able
to talk my non-birding spouse into joining me on a trip to Southside
Virginia in search of the MIKI this past Saturday. My goal was to observe
their feeding behavior and aerial displays.
We got a late start and did not reach Route 615/662 intersection until a
little after 1 p.m. By then, sun was high in the sky (Yes, it was actually
shining for most of the day!). It was a perfect sky with large white
clouds, one that we always hope for at the fall hawk watches. There was a
light, steady breeze with slight chill; so much so that we never had to
turn on the a/c the entire trip.
The first two MIKI were spotted high in the sky a very short distance up
from house numbered 27665 on Rt. 662. Observing their aerial displays was
a thrilling experience.
We drove a very short distance to the next open field right before the next
house located on right side of road. Here we found four more MIKI. A
second year Bald Eagle came into view sailing over the road heading SW and
one MIKI tucked in wings and dropped like a rock toward the eagle pulling
up just within what appeared a few feet of it. Eagle continued on its
course without slowing down.
Being late in the day and with perfect "flying" conditions, all of the MIKI
we found that day were in the air. I was able to observe several through
the scope; they were constantly stalling, diving and darting around, many
times grabbing insects.
At this area we watched a total of 8 MIKI. I was able to observe three in
the scope as they dropped low, just above tree top level; two adults and
one immature (first year?). I could see pale banding on the dark tail.
We followed a series of roads forming a circle back to same spot on 622; a
single subadult MIKI was found further to the west, low working over open
field near a closed up store at turnoff to Mill Pond. There were several
roads with no outlets which we drove down. Very productive including a Wild
Turkey hen walking along the edge of the road for several hundred feet with
us slowly following within a relatively short distance. Several areas had
habitat that looked promising for Bachman Sparrow.
Summer Tanagers were observed singing; one photo-op with bird in scope, out
in the middle of "nowhere" and just as I was about to press the shutter
along comes a truck....No other vehicles for miles around accept at that
precise moment.......
By late afternoon dark clouds moved in with threat of rain and we were
unable to relocate the kites.
Brenda Tekin
Charlottesville, VA
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