Another Red Kite

Dragon — Thu, 23 Mar 2017 15:00:50 +0000

It’s been really blustery today, so all the birds seem to be taking advantage of the wind, flying much faster than normal. However, that also seems to encourage the birds of prey to be a bit more active (or maybe I’m just getting better at spotting them?), so it’s always worth getting the camera out just in case.

And to prove it was worthwhile, the Red Kite made another appearance! Unfortunately the local seagull population seems intent on trying to chase it off.

#30dayswild

Let’s Go Fly a Kite

Dragon — Wed, 11 May 2016 19:48:25 +0000

Someone had mentioned on Twitter that a Red Kite had been spotted a few miles from here several days ago. I don’t know much about Kites, but the local Buzzards seems to have a wide ranging territory, so I’d hoped to take a walk in that general direction at some point, to see if I could spot the Kite.

As luck would have it, I didn’t have to go anywhere! Mum was in the garden and heard a commotion from the other birds nearby. Spotting a bird of prey circling, she shouted for me to come and look – by this point, the birds was still circling, but way too high to get a clear view with the naked eye. So, thankful that the rain had stopped, we stood in the garden with binoculars and a camera to watch, and I was able to get some surprisingly clear photos!

Red Kite

Unlike the Buzzard (below), the Kite has a forked tail – there are other differences, but that’s the main one I’m using to tell them apart. About 30 minutes after the Kite flew out of sight, the Buzzard was circling in a similar area, maybe trying to stake its claim on that hunting patch.

Buzzard

Until a few days ago, I’d not realised that a Red Kite could even be seen in this area (I thought they were mainly in Wales, where I’ve seen them on the Gigrin Farm webcam), and certainly never expected to be able to see one for myself from here!

#30dayswild

Red Kite – Dragon goes Wild

Another Red Kite

Let’s Go Fly a Kite