Mobbing a kite

[Derek Smith]

I was at Chobham rugby club today and saw what I think was a red kite being mobbed by black birds.

I was looking at the kite - it was magnificent - when two smaller black birds flew towards it, forcing it to change direction. As the kite came back towards the pitch, the two birds flew at it. There was nothing subtle. It was still a bit one-sided. Then four other black birds approached, circling above the little contretemps.

The birds kept attacking and at one time it looked as if the kite tried to peck one but it was too quick.

Emboldened, the other four came in and the kite cleared off towards the M25.

Fascinating.

The black birds might have been small crows.

[Derek Smith]

Dr Mike Oxgreen said:

Definitely crows. They'll mob all sorts of larger birds that they see as a threat, including herons as well.

Thanks for that. It was the general consensus but they were too high for anyone but a twitcher to be sure.

It was fighters attacking a bomber. The crows were much more agile in the air and seemed to be predicting the flight pattern of the kite. One would suddenly dive on the kite but allowing deflection.

The kite looked beautiful in flight.