Red Kite re-introduction

[Roy C]

Yesterday I saw and 'snapped' a Red Kite near Barnstaple in North Devon - the tags on the birds wings indicate that it was a 2005 released bird from the chillterns. This means that the bird has wandered about 200 mile I guess. Is this unusual as I read somewhere that these re-introduced birds do not roam far from the release place.

Roy C

[eeyore]

They do spread quite a way, although kites are generally territorial and non migratory the young of each pair will spread out to find their own territories, where they are reintroduced they often spread out in a similar way for the same purpose. There is also quite a lot of evidence that they are following motorways and feeding off roadkill, so i guess your bird went down the M4 then down the M5

[Helo]

The young non-breeding kites will often go 'walk about', essentially meaning you can see these birds almost anywhere.

However, a lot of young birds will remain close to their natal site, and many of the young ones that do disperse, will quite often return to their natal area to breed.

Roadkill, which forms part of their diet is usually taken from the small country lanes in and around the Chilterns. Kites that are seen above the M40 etc, are usually flying above quite often because the motorway is running parallel to a field or small country lane, where they can scavenge for food.

Kites do not hold an exclusive territory, but are generally territorial only within the immediate nesting area.

[Alison Rowe]

Originally Posted by Roy C

Yesterday I saw and 'snapped' a Red Kite near Barnstaple in North Devon - the tags on the birds wings indicate that it was a 2005 released bird from the chillterns. This means that the bird has wandered about 200 mile I guess. Is this unusual as I read somewhere that these re-introduced birds do not roam far from the release place.

Roy C

We are about 40 miles south of Barnstaple and I saw a Red Kite today - yours I wonder?