I saw a red kite in my part of Cornwall for the first time earlier this year. Used to think that when people said they’d seen them here that they’d probably seen a buzzard, but this was definitely a red kite. Apparently a few hundred, likely non-breeders, come to Cornwall for a summer holiday every year.
I live in a tiny village in mid-wales with a huge population of red kites (sometimes up to 50 show up!!)- mostly due to a retired butcher who feeds them everyday! https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-wales-67938901
The locals have mixed feelings about it, and so does the RSPB I’m sure - but admittedly I find them so fascinating, and beautiful, and so glad they are back from extinction.
Thanks Zab for crediting me with such an important part of your bird-watching life. It took me several of those M40 trips to identify that they were indeed kites... keeping my eyes on the road and entertaining a Zablet and her brother added to the challenge! My favourite fact about kites is that they are mentioned by Shakespeare as the street cleaners of the day but I also love the fact that they make their nests out of random things, such as laundry stolen from washing lines (Shakespeare alludes to them using pants!). Their old name is Puttock, which accounts for a property fairly near here glorying in the name "Nethercraigenputtock" - it never fails to make me smile. Long live the reintroduced red kite!
Lovely post! Red Kites are such magnificent birds! I've been to the same feeding station at Bellymack Hill Farm and agree that it's amazing to see a feeding session there. It's great that there are more red Kites around these days, I've seen many around Dumfries and Galloway (not just at the feeding station!),
Oh fab, I love it there. I read some very funny reviews of it when I was writing this, people giving it 1 star and complaining that the kites didn't turn up in large numbers! Some people clearly think it's some sort of circus and for their £7.50 they should be guaranteed hundreds of birds! Oh yes me too, I see so many more than I used to when I'm up at my mum's. Do you ever see them around Edinburgh?
I saw a red kite in my part of Cornwall for the first time earlier this year. Used to think that when people said they’d seen them here that they’d probably seen a buzzard, but this was definitely a red kite. Apparently a few hundred, likely non-breeders, come to Cornwall for a summer holiday every year.
I don't blame them! They definitely seem to be spreading...!
I live in a tiny village in mid-wales with a huge population of red kites (sometimes up to 50 show up!!)- mostly due to a retired butcher who feeds them everyday! https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-wales-67938901
The locals have mixed feelings about it, and so does the RSPB I’m sure - but admittedly I find them so fascinating, and beautiful, and so glad they are back from extinction.
Lots of red Kites down here in Sussex. Had five swooping around the hay baler last week. Beautiful sight, really massive birds up close.
I just looooove watching red kites soar overhead. A delight every time.
Thanks Zab for crediting me with such an important part of your bird-watching life. It took me several of those M40 trips to identify that they were indeed kites... keeping my eyes on the road and entertaining a Zablet and her brother added to the challenge! My favourite fact about kites is that they are mentioned by Shakespeare as the street cleaners of the day but I also love the fact that they make their nests out of random things, such as laundry stolen from washing lines (Shakespeare alludes to them using pants!). Their old name is Puttock, which accounts for a property fairly near here glorying in the name "Nethercraigenputtock" - it never fails to make me smile. Long live the reintroduced red kite!
I’ve seen the kite feeding in Dumfries and Galloway! Incredible to see. Stunning birds.
Lovely post! Red Kites are such magnificent birds! I've been to the same feeding station at Bellymack Hill Farm and agree that it's amazing to see a feeding session there. It's great that there are more red Kites around these days, I've seen many around Dumfries and Galloway (not just at the feeding station!),
Oh fab, I love it there. I read some very funny reviews of it when I was writing this, people giving it 1 star and complaining that the kites didn't turn up in large numbers! Some people clearly think it's some sort of circus and for their £7.50 they should be guaranteed hundreds of birds! Oh yes me too, I see so many more than I used to when I'm up at my mum's. Do you ever see them around Edinburgh?
That's typical of some people, expecting that the fee guarantees the appearance of wild birds!
No, we never see Red Kites around Edinburgh, though i did once see a White Tailed Sea Eagle flying over our street!
Indeed, ridiculous! Woahh, amazing. Apparently white tails have been spotted not far from me in Kent too - exciting!