Buzzard/Red Kite interaction

[PeteD]

Hi all
I was driving down the M11 yesterday afternoon/evening when I spotted what looked like a pair of Buzzards wheeling and diving just off the motorway. As I got closer I realised that what I thought was a pair of Buzzards was in fact a Buzzard/Red Kite combo. I got the impression that the kite was almost mobbing the Buzzard.

Is it common for Buzzards and Red Kites to interact this way? I know that both species are seen in the same area but this is the first time I'd seen them that close together.

Pete

[aeshna5]

I've seen them in thermals together.

[Foz]

Its very common.
Kites often rob buzzards if they are flying with food, they would rather steal a meal than get one themselves
Also kites seem to hang around buzzards as they like buzzards to open fresh kill and then come down and steal that!
I think one of the problems that kites face is that sheep carcases etc are now removed from hill sides and they struggle with fresh meat.

[bigdave60dog]

Kites are designed to scavenge rather than kill for themselves. You could very well be right about the lack of sheep carcasses.
Dave

[Johnny Redgate]

My neighbours claim that it is not required to remove carcasses from land above 1000ft / the moorland line. That may just be propoer farmers trying to pull the wool over the eyes of a smallholder but there are a few dead sheep in the fields round here (South Shropshire Hills) and plenty of kites about.

[RKB]

I'm not sure where sheep and hills come into the picture regarding birds along the M11. That motorway runs through Cambridgeshire and Essex to the M25!

Buzzards and Kites both have fledging young at the moment, which are branchers. They are both capable of grabbing each others' young, so it was likely one bird trying to drive off another away from its nest area.

There's no shortage of fresh meat along the road network. Just count the number of pheasant, wood pigeon, badger and deer carcasses. Although both Buzzards and Kites are capable of killing birds and mammals too. The majority of British kites have probably never seen a sheep - there have been very few in lowland England for decades now (arable is more lucrative).

[Foz]

RKB,
I thought all area's of the UK were blessed with good looking sheep
Having never travelled in the area I stand corrected.
The kites in my garden are very lazy, the biggest prey they take are frogs and toads, but the buzzards around me do take large prey in the winter.
Where I live, most road kill is removed within 2 days, with the majority being badgers and foxes, although otters seem to be finding thier way on the roads more now.
I think the road kill is being used in a study, NicolaB might be able to shed light on this if she reads the post.
And as for arable farming being more lucrative, this might change very quickly with the water shortages.
Not that we have a problem in Wales....

[NicolaB]

I think the road kill is being used in a study, NicolaB might be able to shed light on this if she reads the post.

Yes, Roadkill otters in Wales are currently used for study at Cardiff University, in collaboration with CCW, Environment Agency Wales and other conservation bodies. We used to get sent them at work all the time...sadly it's the closest I've ever been to a wild british otter There's an article here which explains it all )

BBC NEWS | UK | Wales | 'Roadkill' otters help research

As for sheep carcasses, it's been compulsory for landowners to dispose of them via incineration since the Animal By-Products legislation of 2005 (basically to prevent the spread of disease), which is bad news for BOP's.

I'm not sure about the 1000ft altitude loophole (am guessing it's easier to not get found out in more remote areas!). I've seen dead sheep disposed of in rivers though with their ear tags cut off so the owner can't be traced...I guess a lot of farmers can't afford the disposal fees.

[watsthat]

I once saw a right old battle between Buzzards and a pair of Red Kites which I put down to predation of young Kites by the Buzzards.

Pete

[Foz]

I think the Welsh birds are more acceptable of thier neighbours, having buzzards and kites nesting within a few hundred metres of each other.
Its the goshawks that predate young here.
But saying that even female tawny owls will have a go at sprawk chicks during the night......
Im sure Nicola will confirm the buzzard/ kite relationship after her next visit to my garden.
I now have a waiting list for photographers wishing to pop in for a quick (8hr) coffee