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
For the past two years we have had a pair of Red Kites breeding here (South Devon), we have also seen Red Kites in other parts of Devon on a regular bases, they seem to be doing well here.
Build it and they will come.
I am just over the hill and a little down from Sweetshouse - but well hidden in a Norman barn I converted 10 - 20 years ago (that's how long it took). I helped dig drainage ditches on breney common about 15 years ago. Barny
Hi Squirrel,
Apologies for the belated response. No i doubt very much this will of been the result of a red kite kill - more likely a sparrowhawk..
The red kite is closely related to vultures, and its feeding habits reflect this. It is principally an opportunistic carrion feeder, being too weak-footed to kill any prey much bigger than a half-grown rabbit.
Squirrel B 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?
Hi Lloyd
Thanks for that answer - it's more likely to have been one of the numerous neighbourhood cats then as I have not seen a sparrowhawk around here - either flying or perched - and I do spend a lot of time looking upwards due to trying to get a decent photo of the red kites!
In respect of the red kites being carrion feeders, I am interested to know, if there was carrion in my garden (100 feet long but divided into two by a hedge midway), would they be likely to come down to eat i.e. what are their VTOL (vertical take off and landing) skills like? (If on a par with a jumbo jet they would most likely end up in the shrubbery!).
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 red kites I've watched at Gigrin have rarely landed to eat, choosing instead to swoop down (snatch & grab style!! lol) and eat it on the wing, or sometimes fly off into a tree to feed.
"All weeds are flowers, once you get to know them" (Eeyore)
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Ah! Thanks for that info MarJus. If they tried that in my garden they could find themselves making contact with the trees before they were intending to!☺
Red Kites are annual passage migrants through Cornwall with Lands End and the associated valleys having them each migration period. Last year was a good year for them passing through