Early this morning, I tried unsuccessfully to locate the Charles
County MISSISSIPPI KITE (found by Mikey) on DuBois.  However, I was
fortunate enough to locate the DICKCISSEL (found by the Ostrowskis)
just a short distance to the West on Rt 6.

As I enjoyed the Dickcissel, I noticed that there was a large number
of swallows feeding to the Southwest from where I was parked (safely
off the median) on Rt 6.

Soon, a raptor took flight. It spiraled up on a thermal and continued
North.  It was distant, but was flying closer.  I began to get
excited.  It got closer still.  It was an Osprey.

A bit later though, the Barn Swallows and Purple Martins started to
mob a sleek flier with sharp pointed wings and long, squared off tail.
 It was low in the distance, but certainly identifiable. Just barely
over the tree tops, the MISSISSIPPI KITE gained a little altitude,
only to quickly descend below the tree line.  The harassment from the
swallows apparently too much.

After repeatedly missing Sue's Kite Show at Fort Smallwood this year,
it was a truly satisfying morning.

As I was leaving a Cooper's Hawk streaked across the sky from N to S.
Only a few swallows and martins dare to approach it though...

Good Birding,

Dan
St. Margaret's, MD
nervousbirdsatgmail.com

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