Hi Everyone
I would like to know if anyone else has seen a red kite in the Kent - East Sussex area. I was driving from Tenterden to Rye yesterday and a large bird passed over the car. It had the forked tail and white patches on the wings. As far as I know I have not heard of red kites in this area.
Can anyone let me know if they have seen any or am I just going mad......
Robert
Hi Robert,
Your description sounds pretty conclusive to me. I don't think they are yet breeding in those counties (though they are in West Sussex) but wandering birds show up all over the place. There have been a few records over the last couple of years from my local patch (near Sevenoaks in NW Kent), though unfortunately not at the times I've been there so far :( well done on a great sighting :)
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Hi Robert
You're definitely not going mad. I checked the Bird Guides website a couple of days ago over another enquiry and there were reported sightings in E Sussex. Unfortunately, I'm not a subscriber to the website so I can only view the very latest sightings. They seem to be popping up everywhere at the moment so all good news.
Regards TJ
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Tony
My Flickr Photostream
We have seen Red Kites at Buxted, East Sussex for the last couple of years. They are usually circling over Buxted Park below Buxted Park Hotel
I saw a red kite flying behind my house in Elvington which is 8 miles from Dover on Thursday 21st August.
I thought I was seeing things but my nephew saw it first and asked me what it was?
They seem to pop up all over nowadays,great success story for raptors.
Pete
Birding is for everyone no matter how good or bad we are at it,enjoy it while you can
i have seen one flying over my back garden very low
I obviously saw the same bird at about 1.30pm driving down from the Stone in Oxney church area to the military Road towards Stone bridge .It flew straight over us and it was clearly recognised by its very forked tail.what a sight and surprise.
This is a very old post. Might be the same bird! Unlikely, but you may not get many responses as some of the contributors have since left. I know very little re Kent and Sussex, but red kites have since the thread was created spread to most, if not all counties in England.
Thanks.I didnt look at the date it was posted.
Although I am not an experienced bird watcher I thought it was far too big for a Kite or any other type of bird of prey I normally see.i stopped and consulted my RSPB handbook of British birds and I am still convinced it was a Kite due to size and its very pointed tail in flight etc.
Could be wrong but it was still a wonderful sight.
I am sure your i.d. was right. Regularly see them here while I'm looking out the window in Glos. Saw several last week in Oxfordshire and Wilts, and always see them in Hants when down there.