Kestrel or Kite?

[captivebolt]

I'm getting on much better on this site than I expected. So here is a query about something which bothered me whan I heard it, and still concerns me. Apparently since the reintroduction of Red Kites to Kielder Forest, the number of kestrels has dropped by an order of magnitude. I have always loved the sight of a pair of kestrels hovering against the wind until one stoops to kill.

I would never knowingly harm any BOP. But where do others stand on this? Kestrel or Kite?

Captivebolt

[runnerwill]

I can't think of a single reason why an increase in Red Kites would affect Kestrel populations in any way. They have almost completely separate diets and different nest requirements. To be honest I don't even think they'd notice each other. Not sure what your last line was meant to say, but there is certainly no justification in favouring one over the other, and none at all for harming either in any way.

Cheers

Will

[stigofthedump]

Hi Captivebolt.
Where did you hear this from, the only reference I can find on Kestrels declining numbers in Kielder is related to Goshawks.

Vince

[captivebolt]

From my cousin, whose father lived in the edge of the forest. Their story was that the kites were taking quarry that would have fallen to the kestrels, and occasionally even taking young kestrels.

Please believe me, I have no axe to grind and no preference for one or t'other. Indeed, if the reintroduction of the kites has restored the balance of avian predators so much the better.

I don't claim to know a lot about this, so if I make silly mistakes or ask daft questions bear with me.

Captivebolt

But when it comes to shooting mammalian pests and predators . . . .

[Adrian Vygus]

I'm with the other two to a point because A Buzzard won't tolerate a Harrier in its airspace, and while on the face of it Kites PREFER carrion that doesn't mean they won't take Voles and worms if nothing is lying around dead. Buzzards will take live prey and comparing the armaments of the two birds a Kite LOOKS more likely the predator, shitehawk or no the Kite looks the part. given that in the Keilder folk are less likely to be putting out scraps to feed the Kites I'd say there is likely to be competition twixt species. How could you choose between them ? thats daft, the kestral looks like a brown carniverous Parakeet, and the Kite looks like it'd fly off with yer bairn!!

[stigofthedump]

Thank you Captivebolt

Interesting.

I'm Off to watch the Red Kites at Rolands Gill tomorrow I will talk with the ranger about it, I have also sent off an e-mail to kieldercastle@forestry.gov.uk .
asking whom I could contact regarding the interactions between the two species.

Vince

[thebeard]

i find the link between the two relating to the decline of either hard to beleive, as like runnerwill says, they have different natural histories. i think its just a coincidence that as red kites have increased since their reintroduction in the last 20 years, kestrels have been declining for their own reasons. there aren't enough red kites to be competing with kestrels, even though the latter are in decline, they are still far more abundant than the former.

[aeshna5]

Sorry I really can't believe there's any connection between the 2 species fortunes. Sadly Kestrels have been in decline for some years. The reasons behind this are probably various and as others have said they don't compete fro food or nesting sites.

[mrbright]

back in the early 2000s, it was reported a big decline in kestrels and short eared owls in a certain part of kielder forest, but this was blamed on goshawks, could this be what opening post was referring to?

[rossy]

absolute garbage as if you know your birds kestrels dont live in forests, not saying they never go around them, they prefer open fields and and motorways you will always see them. think your cousin has misheard .so sorry think its a red herring, rossy.