Red kites thriving in England 30 years after reintroduction

[vonuber]

Apparently now 10,000 of them, around 10% of the world's population.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/jul/2...

When I worked in Oxfordshire in the early 2000's I remember seeing these flying low overhead, incredible sight.

[phil4]

On days like today they're often circling about where I live. As you say, great things to see.

[Borghetto]

I'm in the Buckinghamshire part of the Chilterns and on occasion I see up to six pairs flocking over the fields behind my home. Every so often one will perch on my fence, which is a real thrill to see.

[Escort3500]

I’d not heard of the re-introduction programme and its success. I was working down there a couple of years ago and asked the folk I was with what the birds were. They told me about the programme and how much they (as locals) enjoyed seeing them. Watching them wheeling and soaring was marvellous and really made my day, bettered only by the Sea and Golden Eagles we’ve often seen on the West Coast of Scotland.

[itsnotarace]

There are 4 pairs living in the wooded area next to my house, quite majestic looking birds but noisy buggers. They spend a lot of time play fighting each other and being trolled by crows who are quite terratorial

[dazwalsh]

My mums house in Rawdon, Leeds looks out over a valley and there is always a few of them circling about, really nice to see.

[thebraketester]

Beautiful creatures. We see them everyday here.

[300bhp/ton]

It has been lovely watching the spread of the kites eastward over the years. On the Beds/Bicks boarder you wouldn't have seen them, even 15 years ago. Now they are a common sight.




Some pics taken in Wales about 5 years ago:

[Zirconia]

Unfortunately there are still people that will trap and blow them to bits.

But good to see them spreading, Gigrin Farm in mid Wales if worth a visit when such is allowed again.

[ForZiE23]

We are close to where they was reintroduced up at Radnage. See more and more over the year and you can often see 10 - 15 flying around at any time!
Problem now is there food supply. Last summer one come down an took a lamb chop straight from open top BBQ in my parents garden. Maybe 20-25 feet from where we was all sitting.

[Mort7]

Nearly had my head taken off by one this morning when I was putting out scraps for ground feeding birds. So close that I could hear the wind from it’s wings.

[Stig]

Not unusual to have a couple of dozen flying over our house. See them every day around here.

[Megaflow]

We’ve got a pair live in our village somewhere, regularly seen circling thermals above the village. Stunning.

[Leon R]

I see them fairly regularly where I live. Very nice to hear that they are thriving.

[Supercilious Sid]

They arrive by motorway

[Supercilious Sid]

Zirconia said:

Unfortunately there are still people that will trap and blow them to bits.

But good to see them spreading, Gigrin Farm in mid Wales if worth a visit when such is allowed again.

Who are these people?

[Derek Smith]

Ten years ago I saw a red kite being modded by crows. I had two video cameras but was filming a rugby match so couldn't get any shots. We had an injury - at last! - but the damn crows had won by that point and the kite had cleared off.

[page3]

Scared the crap out of me a couple of weeks ago when one swooped down to nick the dead mouse one of our cats was playing with. The cat was rather put out.

[Equus]

Supercilious Sid said:

They arrive by motorway

The Oxfordshire reintroduction certainly spread along the M5 and M40 corridors - they like the thermals from the tarmac.

But they've also reached where I am (North Norfolk coast), which is so far from any motorway that it's not even funny.

[piquet]

live on a hill by the m4, they love the thermals and then the updraft from the house, it's fun sometimes putting food out for them and watching them figure out the way to swoop in to get it and then climb out

majestic creatures