Kite? Or am I being hopeful?

[Queen bee]

This morning, I was at the end of Lydford Forest track when I saw a bird of prey overhead. At first I wrote it off as a buzzard but then I noticed the forked tail. Its head was quite pale and it had a symmetrical patch of white on each wing. The body was reddish, and it was maybe a bit bigger than a buzzard, but circled in the same manner. I live in West Devon, and this was in a rural area near a road with pine forest, a bit of deciduous and fields nearby. So is this just an odd buzzard, or have red kites moved in?

[demicav]

Sounds like a Red kite to me.

[VinceS]

Sounds like a red kite to me. Hopefully you might see it again. There are many more reports these days of kites in various places, so with any luck they are beginning to spread naturally from their strongholds. I saw one in Chesterfield a couple of weeks ago.

Vince

[Helo]

Hello QueenBee

These days, it is possible to see a kite in most places outside of the reintroduction areas. Quite often, the birds you see will be the non breeding birds, who occasionally like to go for a wander! However, they do tend to return to their natal area when breeding, which generally begins in their 2nd/3rd year.

Hope this helps.

[ChrisJB]

Certainly sounds like a red kite. Could be the same bird that was seen in Somerset this morning.

Regards, Chris

[Queen bee]

Wow! I'll certainly keep an eye out! I've seen them whilst staying with cousins in Reading, but it's great to know they're spreading now.

[AndyC]

Originally Posted by ChrisJB

Certainly sounds like a red kite. Could be the same bird that was seen in Somerset this morning.

Regards, Chris

Do you know where in Somerset? A friend saw one over Winsford (Exmoor) two months ago, a very rare sighting for Exmoor, I haven't seen one there (or anywhere else!) for twenty years. It would be good to get another look at one


Andy

[ChrisJB]

I can't remember Andy. It was on the 'Birdguides' website. Keep your eye out on the daily postings on there.

Regards, Chris