Guest gaia Posted February 29, 2008 Report Share Posted February 29, 2008 Today I have been walking on Snowden and I am sure I saw a Red Kite. I have never seen one before but my friend with me is a bit of a bird watcher and he says it definately was one. I thought they were rare so I'm not sure now if it was one! Anyone know if they are rare or common as muck? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
moley 115 Posted February 29, 2008 Report Share Posted February 29, 2008 Today I have been walking on Snowden and I am sure I saw a Red Kite. I have never seen one before but my friend with me is a bit of a bird watcher and he says it definately was one. I thought they were rare so I'm not sure now if it was one! Anyone know if they are rare or common as muck? depends where your at , a few just up the dale from me, they nest in a wood on a mate of mines farm , he shoots rabbits and leaves them for the birds, says the kites come to the noise of the shotgun Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SportingShooter 0 Posted February 29, 2008 Report Share Posted February 29, 2008 here in south wales you do not see a great deal, a few perhaps, but drive to somewhere like rhyader, mid wales and youll see hundreds being fed at the feeding stations. you are right in that these birds were very very rare and almost extinct in the mid last century down to only 2 breeding adults and those were in wales. they were so rare and precious that they even had Gurkhas guarding the nest. you could go and see the nest but you'd never see the Gurkhas but they were there 24 hours a day. happily they are now up to an estimated 400 breeding birds or pairs i cant exactly remember, so hopefully you should see them as common as buzzards at some point. hope this gives an insight. thanks ss06 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
lonedigga 22 Posted February 29, 2008 Report Share Posted February 29, 2008 it's not often i go out with the dogs and don't see at least 1 as most of my permission is in an area where they're a common sight,beautiful bird and unmistakeable when you get a decent sighting Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SportingShooter 0 Posted February 29, 2008 Report Share Posted February 29, 2008 it is really a beautiful sight to see them especially this time of year when they soar in the thermals. always fills me with a sort of satisfaction that they have survived in wales. down here i have seen in the last two days a sea eagle, what do you think of that, and it was definately one as three people who were with me saw it and are all keen amateur birdwatchers. the sheer size of this bird is phenomenal. i bet old charlie fox is afraid to come out with one of those about, ah well less lamping for me then. ss06 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mad al 146 Posted March 1, 2008 Report Share Posted March 1, 2008 Common as muck here Quote Link to post Share on other sites
doxhope 2 Posted March 1, 2008 Report Share Posted March 1, 2008 Pretty rare here, only found one nest last year Quote Link to post Share on other sites
chartpolski 24,046 Posted March 1, 2008 Report Share Posted March 1, 2008 Plenty around the Tyne valley, near Newcastle, thanks to a succesful breeding and release programme, no thanks to the idiot keepers who were shooting them !!! Cheers. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
moxy 617 Posted March 1, 2008 Report Share Posted March 1, 2008 Theres a good few pairs up by me that were released about 6yrs ago. It was a breeding program to try and reintroduce them back up here. A pair nest in a quarry where a friend works, I will try and get some pics if i can. One was found injured a while ago and it wasnt one that had been released up here, It had a welsh ring on, So they can travel pretty far. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ratman2 2 Posted March 1, 2008 Report Share Posted March 1, 2008 Fairly common sight now on The Black Isle and surounding areas. One or two reported sightings here in Lincolnshire but I've not seen one myself Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Waz 4,266 Posted March 1, 2008 Report Share Posted March 1, 2008 Heaving with them around Oxfordshire, think it was one of the Getti family who helped with the reintroduction. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Deker 3,478 Posted March 1, 2008 Report Share Posted March 1, 2008 Seems that is was only a few years ago they were "rare" and about the only chance you had to see them was in Wales. I'm pleased to say I see lots of them in Berkshire now and also an increasing number of the Buzzard! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bill88 6 Posted March 1, 2008 Report Share Posted March 1, 2008 Very rare near me,although i have seen them on a couple of occasions,once near Edge Hill in south warwickshire,and another time at Draycote reservoir near Daventry in Northamptonshire.Beautiful bird and unmistakable in flight. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest bitsa lurcher Posted March 1, 2008 Report Share Posted March 1, 2008 Today I have been walking on Snowden and I am sure I saw a Red Kite. I have never seen one before but my friend with me is a bit of a bird watcher and he says it definately was one. I thought they were rare so I'm not sure now if it was one! Anyone know if they are rare or common as muck? i'll get some photo's up of red kites , there is a feeding centre not far from where i live so to see them flying overhead is a common sight Quote Link to post Share on other sites
antg 1,782 Posted March 1, 2008 Report Share Posted March 1, 2008 loads up my area around the derwent vally, durham. they fly over my house most days. lovely to see. beutifull birds Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.