In April I saw a Red Kite hovering for about 20 minutes - over Lostwithiel. Are they frequent visitors to Cornwall?
The resident Buzzards and Rooks saw it off eventually but having been here for 20 years this was my first ever siting of a red kite. It hasn't returned to date.
Barny Owl
I am simply answering this to put it to top of the list as I would like to know the answer.
As a newbie am i infringing the rules/etiquette?
Unknown said: As a newbie am i infringing the rules/etiquette? Barny Owl
I don't think so Barny! Can't answer your question although a quick search with Google has brought back results with red kite sightings in Cornwall. It's the 'hovering for 20 mins' which is unusual. I don't think I've heard of a kite doing this (but I'm sure someone more knowledgeable will put me right!!). Do you have any photos?
"All weeds are flowers, once you get to know them" (Eeyore)
My photos on Flickr
Hi Barny
We'll let you off just this once! ;o)
Red kites have been seen in Cornwall and sightings may well be increasing as they are doing fantastically well. It would be interesting to hear if anyone else has seen them in the south west. I don't suppose you noticed any tags on this bird at all, as they may help to identify where it originated. If you are interested in recording your sightings of birds or would like to see what other people have been recording, you can do so by using the BTO/RSPB/Birdlife Ireland Bird Track website. Have a look at the link below, i'm sure you will find it useful.
http://www.bto.org/birdtrack/
Warden Intern at Otmoor.
Thanks for that link Ian - I have also made a note of it as a couple of red kites frequent the skies above here.
The necessity of bird-watching is a really good reason for avoiding all forms of housework.
The dust will still be there tomorrow - the birds may not be!
The UK red kite population is indeed doing very well as it contiunes to return to balanced population numbers. At present there are approximately 50 birds in Northern Ireland (RSPB introduction 2008-10). The current population for the rest of the UK is estimated to be in the region of 625-675 breeding pairs in Britain - 350-400 in Wales, 220 in England and 57 in Scotland.(All figures are a annual average estimate). The maps on our website are just for use as a rough guide to their strongholds and the birds can be found outside of these areas on passage. In fact, despite their relatively low (but increasing) numbers they have actually been sighted in almost every county of the UK - not meaning to say they breed in every county..
According to the Cornwall Bird-watching and Preservation Society there have been an whooping 411 species recorded within the county either as resident, passage or vagrant species. Of which 21 species were birds of prey.
LS
Hi BarnyOwl, I live in north Cornwall (Launceston) and have seen two red kites - one a year or two ago and one last week!
Unknown said: Hi BarnyOwl, I live in north Cornwall (Launceston) and have seen two red kites - one a year or two ago and one last week!
Hi AnnaBanana, I was at Breney CWT today and witnessed a red kite being chased round by two crows, I managed some video.
Unknown said: The UK red kite population is indeed doing very well as it contiunes to return to balanced population numbers. At present there are approximately 50 birds in Northern Ireland (RSPB introduction 2008-10). The current population for the rest of the UK is estimated to be in the region of 625-675 breeding pairs in Britain - 350-400 in Wales, 220 in England and 57 in Scotland.(All figures are a annual average estimate). .....LS
The UK red kite population is indeed doing very well as it contiunes to return to balanced population numbers. At present there are approximately 50 birds in Northern Ireland (RSPB introduction 2008-10). The current population for the rest of the UK is estimated to be in the region of 625-675 breeding pairs in Britain - 350-400 in Wales, 220 in England and 57 in Scotland.(All figures are a annual average estimate). .....LS
Hi Lloyd, My red kites doubled in number today. There were four for about an hour directly overhead. There were also the feathers from a large dead bird (carrion crow or wood pigeon size) on our lawn (red kites were directly above this area). Might they have killed the bird or is that more likely to be co-incidental?
danae said: Hi BarnyOwl, I live in north Cornwall (Launceston) and have seen two red kites - one a year or two ago and one last week!
Wow, that's great! Lucky you getting some video footage too - my camera may as well have been in a whole different universe the only two times I saw my red kites! Never been to Breney - in fact not even heard of it until now!! Is it worth a visit?
Hi again, Breney Common is on the Cornwall Wildlife Trust website under Helman Tor. It is an interesting place, we were not looking for birds but dragonflies. Have a good interest in birds though and try to take in as much as possible when out and about.