Large Bird of Prey

[Pete Collins]

Originally Posted by davidcarman

Hi all
....
I'm thinking Red Kite (prominent fork in tail and brown plumage) but so many in an urban area? Perhaps they are part of a breeding/release programme in the area?
...

Welcome to WAB, David.

As Picidae has said, they will be Red Kites from the very successful re-introduction program in the Chilterns. They can usually be seen in some numbers along that section of the M40, and must come as a real shock to people who don't know about them!

As for being in an urban area, they are quite happy in such places - they can be seen overhead in many of the towns and villages in that part of the Chilterns (I've only once driven through Watlington and NOT seen a Kite overhead!). A few hundred years ago, they were very common in London apparently.

And as John has said, they aren't too bothered by human presence and will fly fairly low over your head. I was walking a few miles south of Stokenchurch yesterday, and had one fly very low over me just as I was starting my walk.

[Wizardmurphy]

Harvel, Meopham North Kent, 18th April 2010,10-00am, my wife and I spotted a pair of buzzards, we think, they were definitely large birds of pray gaining height fro our fields and riding a thermal to a great height but we don't have enough experience to identify for certain what they were.

[Digit]

If they've shortish blunt wings they're probably Buzzards.

Roy.

[captaincarot]

when they are young pre breeding age kites travel quite extensively.

the odd one from the yorkshire release site at harewood house has been seen in the chilterns. so a wandering kite within about 150 miles of any of the three english release points is a definite possibility.

this pretty much covers the whole of england.

[cancan49]

Originally Posted by Pete Collins

Welcome to WAB, David.

As Picidae has said, they will be Red Kites from the very successful re-introduction program in the Chilterns. They can usually be seen in some numbers along that section of the M40, and must come as a real shock to people who don't know about them!

As for being in an urban area, they are quite happy in such places - they can be seen overhead in many of the towns and villages in that part of the Chilterns (I've only once driven through Watlington and NOT seen a Kite overhead!). A few hundred years ago, they were very common in London apparently.

And as John has said, they aren't too bothered by human presence and will fly fairly low over your head. I was walking a few miles south of Stokenchurch yesterday, and had one fly very low over me just as I was starting my walk.

I am a brand new member and found your site while trying to identify a large bird of prey.
You will be pleased to know that the chiltern redkites have now spread south to Hemel Hempstead which is on the southern edge of the chilterns. I have seen a pair of them soaring effortlessly over the town on a number of occasions this September and October.........they really are a beautiful sight .

I do have a question ..do Red Kites take grey squirrels as food, the woods near to me where i walk my dogs used to have at least 100plus squirrels but suddenly hardly any are to be seen?
thanks in advance

[Blenkas]

Originally Posted by demicav

Sounds like a Red Kite. Black kites lack the forked tail, it would be more square. Fantastic bird.

Err, no. Black Kite's tail is also forked, although shallower than the Red's.

[redstart1]

Originally Posted by cancan49

I am a brand new member and found your site while trying to identify a large bird of prey.
You will be pleased to know that the chiltern redkites have now spread south to Hemel Hempstead which is on the southern edge of the chilterns. I have seen a pair of them soaring effortlessly over the town on a number of occasions this September and October.........they really are a beautiful sight .

I do have a question ..do Red Kites take grey squirrels as food, the woods near to me where i walk my dogs used to have at least 100plus squirrels but suddenly hardly any are to be seen?
thanks in advance

Very unlikly, kites are mainly scavengers but do take small rodents,they very seldom land on the ground, and eat there prey on the wing . there beaks arnt that sharp for tearing flesh unlike a buzzards etc.

[outdoorguy]

i live near tonbridge in kent and saw two red kites a few months ago flying over my local park.. both very tatty looking birds... but as a birdwatcher of 30 odd years seeing them on my local patch was quite a site.. my daughter couldn't see what was so exciting he he..

[oldbird]

Wow! Coming my way!

[leeroy]

Originally Posted by zharca

Hi, that's a terrific sighting for North Kent and one I would have thought worth contacting the recorders about, especially if it turns out they got other reports as well.

My mum lives in Gravesend and we're taking her out on Sunday. Bet it's not still around!

I saw a red kite last night over the Sole St / Round St area near Gravesend ( Jeskyns Orchard ), also saw it again early this morning over Jeskyns, its still around, would love to hear from anyone else that saw it.