Red Kites in Suffolk

[bretwalda007]

Driving home along a back lane in Suffolk last night (coincidentally having been to the Bird of Prey Centre at Biggleswade) saw at least two, possibly three large birds in the late afternoon sky. I've seen what I've taken to be buzzards before now but finally managed to get a little digital footage.

[aeshna5]

Those forked tails are pretty diagnostic- good find for you. If I remember correctly there's at least 3 breeding pairs of Red Kite in Suffolk.

[bretwalda007]

This was between Stradishall and Clare in West Suffolk. There were definitely two up in the sky at the point when I took the photos. About half a mile down the road spotted another one although it may just have been one of the earlier two moving deeper across country.

Anyway, I know they're increasingly common in other parts of the country but a first for me! The one flying above me seemed quite relaxed that I was there and was happily sweeping back and forth for what seemed like minutes!

[Colchester Paul]

Only recently joined this forum and stumbled across this conversation, I spotted a Red kite probably from the same road between Stradishall and Clare, and again the bird was not concerned about my presence . Again this is the first Red kite I have seen in this area.