Today has been an incredible day!

I was at St. Mary's Seminary in Roland Park today and decided to walk
around the building to check what birds were there. I was excited enough
to hear and see a Catbird when I decided to check the treetops.  Looking
for warblers, I saw a flying Swallow-tailed Kite instead!

It was above the treeline, which would be in almost an exact north-south
direction. It flew straight north, and then cut a large half circle to the
southwest before going out of sight in the direction of Falls road.  When
the bird banked for the turn the tail and wing shape were displayed. I
waited a further 10 minutes but it didn't circle back.

At first I only saw it from the side and was going to pass on it, but when
it banked, it was clearly worth checking out!

The total time it was visible (to me) was around 1 minute and the sighting
occurred at 1:30pm. I called a couple of birders that I trust (to gloat)
and to describe the plumage and tail and I feel comfortable saying that it
was an adult ST Kite.

Interesting to see it.  Very graceful even with the wind. I know there has
been one sighted a couple of times this year in one of the DC area
counties and I know that there was one sighted on Wednesday just north of
here.

Happily,

Matt Grey
Roland Park and Pasadena