Have seen a red kite on the old A2 at Lydden Hill near Dover, haven't been able to see if it is a male or female or guess at its age. I know we have a community of kites in High Wycombe and accross the Chilterns and the first time we saw it thought it maybe a bit lost and blown off course. Saw it again yesterday however, I think its here to stay and maybe nesting in the vicinity.
Has anyone else seen a kite in the south east corner of England? Its only in the last couple of years we have spotted a pair of buzzards this far over - I though kites were moorland birds? Fantastic if it is nesting but wondered if its natural migration from the chilterns or if there has been a deliberate release?
Hello Sue,
The reintroduction of red kites into England has been very successful and they can be seen in most counties now. They are still most common around the reintroduction areas, particularly the Chilterns but can be seen in the far SE.
It is difficult to say where this bird is from unless it had coloured wing tags. It is most likely to have dispersed from the Chilterns but it's also possible it has come over from the continent. Some birds disperse across The Channel. Hopefully, red kites will continue to spread back to their former range.
Hi Sue
You seem to have asked this question before.
Here's the replies to your previous post.
http://www.rspb.org.uk/community/forums/t/20270.aspx
Regards TJ
____________________________________________________________________
Tony
My Flickr Photostream