Red Kites from my front window

Dae · #1 (**permalink**) 22-01-2009, 04:42 PM

Yep, the title says it all. From my front window of my home, I got to see a pair of red kites flying overhead. They were circling around for quite a bit, with a teenie tiny (yes, compared to red kites) buzzard circling just above one of them. I didn't know they'd made it this far south into Wales, I'm just a bit north of Newport. Very exciting stuff !

Only managed to get an embarassing photo of one of the pair, taken through the window. It was just too far away for a good shot, so this is a 100% crop.

I just had to share, am Very excited

Wild-Woman · #2 (**permalink**) 22-01-2009, 06:04 PM

Excellent stuff. How fantastic. I must admit, that where our eldest son and his wife lives in Berkshire they can be seen circling there.
They are certainly majestic birds.

tameblackbirds · #3 (**permalink**) 22-01-2009, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dae

Yep, the title says it all. From my front window of my home, I got to see a pair of red kites flying overhead. They were circling around for quite a bit, with a teenie tiny (yes, compared to red kites) buzzard circling just above one of them. I didn't know they'd made it this far south into Wales, I'm just a bit north of Newport. Very exciting stuff !

Only managed to get an embarassing photo of one of the pair, taken through the window. It was just too far away for a good shot, so this is a 100% crop.

I just had to share, am Very excited

what a fantastic view from your window Jen great photo and enjoyed your flicker Gallery too Nathan is so cute what a pose

Fauna · #4 (**permalink**) 22-01-2009, 06:25 PM

Hi Dae, They are a great pleasure to see, this pair has been around for a few weeks in our area (i think).

A pair did try to sit eggs a bit futher up the valley a couple of year back near Abertwsswg. But they abandoned their nest, apparently the area was to windy and the birds where being lifted off the nest?? Never new this could happen but they abandoned the nest all the same

Regards Chris.

leifus · #5 (**permalink**) 22-01-2009, 07:17 PM

wow what a photo! I love these birds! A couple of years ago we had about 7 circling over our house!!!

DuncanE · #6 (**permalink**) 22-01-2009, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leifus

wow what a photo! I love these birds! A couple of years ago we had about 7 circling over our house!!!

I don't mean to brag but I can get 40+ using the thermals from my work and the motorway over head

leifus · #7 (**permalink**) 22-01-2009, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DuncanE

I don't mean to brag but I can get 40+ using the thermals from my work and the motorway over head

wow i thought i was doing well at 7! haha

Dae · #8 (**permalink**) 22-01-2009, 07:32 PM

Thanks everyone for your lovely comments! I too was thrilled to have these guys visiting our area, I had no idea they had made it this far south. I really hope they're going to be a more common occurance here, that'd be fantastic

And thanks to tameblackbirds for the comment about my newest member of the family, I too think he's gorgeous - but I'm totally biased

duncan, bragger

j/k! Totally amazing, 40!?! I too thought leifus was doing well with 7. But I'm chuffed with 2, I'll take it!

DuncanE · #9 (**permalink**) 22-01-2009, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leifus

wow i thought i was doing well at 7! haha

come to Wycombe on a hot and humid sunny day! (Thats if we ever get them again!)

camo · #10 (**permalink**) 22-01-2009, 07:56 PM

Anyone who can watch Kites should feel lucky, I personally believe they are the most graceful bird of prey to watch and only surpassed by the sheer speed and intent of a Peregrine as a spectacle, I love watching their continual use of the tail to counter a changing wind.

I find it interesting to compare the Kites progress with that of the Buzzard. With the Kite they have flourished close to their release point and although they can be found in great numbers this is far more localised than the Buzzard. Clearly the Kite is a community bird and fledglings are not pushed into new territories. However the Buzzard which is territorial pushes its young away from the nest when fledged. I think this has resulted in the Buzzard quickly covering all parts of the UK in small numbers whereas the Kite has been slowly moving out from its strongholds.

I live in Bedfordshire and to the South West I am about 50 miles from the Buckinghamshire strong hold where as the Northampton release is about 30 miles to the North. Buzzards are evrywhere wheras I see the Kite in increasing numbers however it probably only moves 2-3 miles with each new batch of fledglings. I hope that when the two colonies meet it should be in Bedfordshire and the resultant young will benefit from hybrid vigour and I will enjoy a super Kite however I look forward to seeing the first Kite over my house.

Roy