Red Kites in Cambridgeshire.

[Xanadu2]

That’s where I saw a red kite the other day! Well, it might have been Northamptonshire because I wasn’t quite sure where the boundaries are. I know they have been introduced to various parts of England but didn’t know this was one of them.

I live on the edge of their range in Mid Wales, so sometimes see them in my home valley. First I saw the wingspan, and thought: ‘Rather long for a buzzard… I wonder…’ Then the bird wheeled round in front of me and gave me a fantastic view! It made my day!

[barquar]

Red Kites sightings have been reported in the Staffordshire Moorlands, So went to have a look but did not see any.
Barquar

[John]

There is a release site near Corby in the Rockingham Forest. It is Fineshade Wood and here is a link to it.
The RSPB: Red kites at Top Lodge

John

Originally Posted by Xanadu2

That’s where I saw a red kite the other day! Well, it might have been Northamptonshire because I wasn’t quite sure where the boundaries are. I know they have been introduced to various parts of England but didn’t know this was one of them.

I live on the edge of their range in Mid Wales, so sometimes see them in my home valley. First I saw the wingspan, and thought: ‘Rather long for a buzzard… I wonder…’ Then the bird wheeled round in front of me and gave me a fantastic view! It made my day!

[JeffH]

Originally Posted by Xanadu2

That’s where I saw a red kite the other day! Well, it might have been Northamptonshire because I wasn’t quite sure where the boundaries are. I know they have been introduced to various parts of England but didn’t know this was one of them.

Obviously without knowing exactly where you were it's impossible to say whether or not your sighting was within Cambridgeshire but, as John says, the Rockingham Forest area is a release site and a stronghold for these magnificent birds and is only about 2 miles from the Cambs/Northants county boundary.

There were an estimated 600 Red Kites over-wintering in the Rockingham Forest area and the birds are certainly extending their range eastwards and southwards with regular sightings east of the A1 in the Stamford (Lincs) area and also further south at Grafham Water here in Cambs.

So although Cambs isn't a release area we're certainly benefitting from the spread of the Rockingham birds - long may it continue

Jeff

[3lilpigs]

there have been red kites spotted at Dawlish Warren over the last few days. I'll be straight there tomora!!

[Adam Cheeseman]

They pretty much turn up anywhere nowadays. I'm waiting for one of the regular spring birds to drift over my back garden in Surrey. Would have had one last year but I was out getting my first redstart for the year

Cheers,

Adam

[John]

We have a Red Kite that is doing the rounds in Worcestershire at the moment.

John

[Helo]

As has been mentioned, it isn't unusual to see a red kite in any part of the country these days. Quite often these are the non breeding kites who wander away from their natal area, although they do tend to return when attempting to breed (usually in their 2nd or 3rd year).

Northants was one of the reintroduction sites, with the Chilterns providing some of the chicks. The reintroduction project continues to be a success.

[eowynk]

i live in aylesbury and work at tiggywinkles wildlife hosp. there are hundreds of kits around that area even comming ringht into the centre of aylesbury town. we also get injured ones comming into the hosp quite regularly.

[Xanadu2]

Originally Posted by eowynk

i live in aylesbury and work at tiggywinkles wildlife hosp. there are hundreds of kits around that area even comming ringht into the centre of aylesbury town. we also get injured ones comming into the hosp quite regularly.

Yes. When my mother lived the other side of Aylesbury my partner and me were driving along the main road toward Thame when we glimpsed a pair, but sadly we were in fast traffic and couldn't stop.