Last month, when Jane and I were in south Texas working the ABA convention, there was a field trip at Santa Ana NWR which happened to be right in front of a fast-moving storm front. One of the field trip leaders reported counting upward of 500 Mississippi Kites swarming in front of the approaching wall cloud. I've heard of other raptors taking advantage of the updrafts as well.

It's hard enough to see any sort of kite in Maryland but to have a minimum of 8 kites of 2 species is phenomenal! Hope they hang out there all summer.

BTW, are there any periodical cicadas in Cecil? Patty Craig mentioned yesterday, in personal conversation, that when Jane and I had 3 and she had 4 on different occasions in St. Mary's county, that that coincided with the Brood XIX of the 13-year cicada in the Ridge/Dameron area. Just curious.

Tyler Bell

California, Maryland

Wave that flag...wave it wide and high!
Grateful Dead, U.S. Blues

>>>  06/01/04 03:10PM >>>
The most unbelievable thing just happened! I arrived home at 2:45, and I was greeted by Dirk Robinson,and as soon as I got out of the truck I saw the Swallow-tailed Kite flying in the North West sky. Mean while, The thunderstorm was brewing and the updraft happened! The Swallow-tailed Kite was met by at least 7,  that is write 7 Mississippi Kites. Hello! 8 KITES in one thermal. I saw 2 other Kites come and go from different directions. There could have been 9 Mississippi Kites total but Positive about 7 Mississippi Kites. If Dirk wasn't there I don't know what I would have done. I could not believe what I saw. A kettle of Mississippi's with one Swallow-tailed. WOW.
Sean McCandless