Hawks on the M40?

[Jasandjules]

Ok, today I was driving down the M40 and there quite a few large Hawk type birds hunting by the side of the road - they seemed massive ! I didn't get a great look as I was a tad too busy driving, but does anyone know what they are? I am assuming there is a quite a large population of them in that part of the country to have seen nearly half a dozen in a few miles.

[Munter]

Red Kites probably. Just north of High Wycombe?

[C3BER]

Red kites

[Piersman2]

Yep probably Red Kites, loads round this way. I usually have a pair of them circling above the house most days. And boy, can they get a long way up!

[Turn7]

For sure they were Kites.

The original centre for repopulation is/was based around Christmas Common, just off junction 6.

[Bonefish Blues]

I almost drove off the road when I saw my first one c20 years ago - one of those "no, it can't be, it ****ing well is" moments, having known nothing about their reintroduction.

[Dr G]

Certain I saw a kite over Uxbridge a couple of days ago; population n the increase?

[theboss]

I had one just swoop down vertically and grab a piece of roadkill from lane 1 just West of J6 once. It seemed completely unphased by me and my two tons of E65 bearing down at very close range. I'd dread to think what would happen if you took one of those out at a ton - it was huge! A very impressive sight.

I had a big BBQ at my sisters in Watlington late last year and there were several circling constantly overhead, I understand they are becoming a pest in the area rather like bigger more menacing seagulls.

[mike62]

There's loads in and around Basingstoke, see them quite often, along with buzzards. Kestrels also seem to be making a comeback, seen quite a few recently after years with only the occasional sighting.

[bucksmanuk]

5 red kites circling my house at low level last weekend- all the other birds clear off sharpish

[zygalski]

Red Kites are extremely easy to identify even a fleeting glimpse at a distance.
The size & forked tail are a bit of a giveaway.