The journey to (and from) crufts

[wellies101]

Bizarre title, but all will come clear. Went to crufts last friday with the better half, first time for us both and a good day had all round. However, perhaps the best bits had nothing to do with crufts and more to do with the journey.

We live in S.London so took the M40 to the NEC. On the way we saw:

10 Red Kite
3 Kestrel
1 Buzzard

I was thinking to myself on the way up "this must be a bit of a hotspot for Red Kite, perhaps a relaease site nearby?" However, these thoughts were confirmed when on the way home, numbers for the same birds were:

3 Kestrel
3 Buzzard
38 (yes, thats 38) Red Kite!!!

Couldn't believe it. The most I saw in one place was 18, incredible. Anyone know of a release/feeding site near the M40?

[demicav]

That's brilliant. Certainly would make the journey really enjoyable.

[tony a]

I used to travel on the M40 a lot, and always had difficulty keeping my eyes on the road when the red kites were overhead.

[bleeper]

Red kites are in abundance around the Stokenchurch section of the M40 and spreading rapidly. Getty allowed the use of his land for reintroduction years ago I believe. Anyway, anywhere around High Wycombe going out about 15 miles or more you will be guaranteed to see them. In Cookham, (near Maidenhead) I regularly count 20+ and they appear to be setting up nest sites at the moment. When the weather is poor I often see 8 or 9 sitting in the same tree at one time, but when the weather is good they are up and away, but still virtually guarantee sitings in and around Cookham. One of their favourite spots (not sure why) is a playing field in the centre of Cookham at around 3pm each day! If you want to know anymore let me know. I am frantically trying to remember a spot someone told me about near Stokenchurch where you see about 50 at a time, I'll do a map search and see if I can remember.

Jenny

Have checked on the map and I think its Bennett End east of Stokenchurch. Someone told me there is a wonderful pub there and if you sit in the garden you regularly see 50+ kites at one time. I'll check it out when the weather is better for an outside lunch

[Kayleigh]

I think the kites are making their way to Aylesbury Buckingham..So I may see some from my garden soon

[Pete Collins]

Originally Posted by Kayleigh

I think the kites are making their way to Aylesbury Buckingham..So I may see some from my garden soon

Kayleigh,

They are certainly spreading north from the Chilterns over parts of the Vale of Aylesbury - I've often seen them around Waddesdon, not too far from Aylesbury.

There are Red Kites in Rockingham Forest too, which I think is in your county.

Good luck with seeing them from your garden (he says smugly, having seen one from his garden for the first time about 3 weeks ago!).

[wellies101]

Tony A you're not wrong, I heard the constant crone of those marked white lines on the motorway more than once! Anyway, excellent stuff, thanks for your responses guys.

I work in a country park about 1 mile from heathrow and we had one fly over the park last summer so they're definately spreading about.

[rlchew]

Excellent sightings James .

The Chilterns is a very good area for Red Kites and is indeed a re-introduction site.

The M40 usually provides good sightings .... but remember to keep your eyes on the road as well .

More information here ....

Red kites - Caring for the Chilterns | The Chilterns AONB

redkites.net : Welcome to redkites.net The Red Kite Site

Richard

[Bwrack]

+When we visit my sister in Hughenden Valley(just outside High Wycombe) we are able to
sit comfortably in her conservatory and watch red kites all day..

[rlchew]

Now that is what I call a room with a view .

You have a very lucky sister.

Richard