Help with a Bird ID

[British Red]

I'm happy to see we have a new pair of raptors nesting on the farm. They are appreciably larger than our resident buzzards pairs

I'm fairly sure of my identification but I would welcome confirmation - I've yet to get a good picture but there is a feature on this photo that tells me it is what I hope it to be....

Can anyone confirm what this is?

An exited Red

 

[fred gordon]

Judging by the forked tail I would be tempted to say that its a Red Kite. How appropriate!

 

[British Red]

I'm pretty certain you are right Fred

Having them nesting here is an enormous privilege!

I first saw them 30 foot up circling the cottage. How lucky am I to see that walking out the front door. They pass over each day now several times but by the time I spot them and grab the camera its generally too late.

Between them and the peregrines of which there are at least 2 pairs now (not to mention numerous buzzards and sparrowhawks and kessies) I am a happy man!

Red

 

[KAE1]

Yep, I think so too. I had one fly over me about 12 years ago - in Suffolk, first one I'd seen. I remember that there were some distinct dark bars/tips on the wings, these really stood out as it glided above me.
Did you notice any dark sections on the wing?

 

[fred gordon]

You really are lucky Red. They have been here where I live but just passing through it seems. I have to travel nearly 100 miles if I want to be sure of seeing one. Look forward to the close-ups!!

 

[British Red]

From all my books they are Red Kites without doubt - the wing bandings (they only just cleared the cottage roof) were very different to the buzzards (who perch on my TV arial). The forked tail is very distinctive.

The really odd part is we seem to have three. I have seen the pair many times but a third (never four) seems to join them occasionally - I suspect a competing male but thats jsut guesswork. I didn't know they nested near here - the nearest I have seen them is near Andover. I'm delighted!

Red

 

[scanker]

From that silhouette it definitely looks like a kite to me with that forked tail.

 

[Aragorn]

not meaning to hijack your post red, but i'v been unable to see any of your pics for the last few posts, i thought at first it was due to the new forum etc, but judging by the replies other members are not affected, i don't think i get this problem with anyone else's post as i can usually see the pics, can you shed any light on it, i use to enjoy seeing the photos you took but am now missing out

 

[British Red]

Errmm...not really - I use flickr as an image hosting service whi may be blocked by your firewall?

Try the URL for the (rubbish) image above

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/228/515944624_e36db43b4c.jpg

Red

 

[Toddy]

Red Kite called a Gled in the North because of their habit of gliding across the sky.
They seem to like the company of each other, and used to live and fly in great numbers.
I watched them every day last week and they are beautiful, just beautiful.

Cheers,
Toddy

 

[Aragorn]

spot on red, never thought of that, i can now go back and read all your posts again, this time with words and PICTURES

 

[British Red]

Thanks Toddy . I was fairly sure. I spent some time recently with the guys who were re-introducing them back down here. Mr Pickett will be delighted - he has been looking for nightjars for a while (whereas I lean out the window at 3am and tell em to "shuddup"). I'll have to invite him over to see the kites as well (when Stuart finishes my knife so we can settle our differences - in the nicest possible way)!

Red

 

[bushwacker bob]

I saw a couple of them hunting on Stephencastle Down last year.Its only a stones throw from your cottage.

 

[JonnyP]

Thanks Toddy . I was fairly sure. I spent some time recently with the guys who were re-introducing them back down here. Mr Pickett will be delighted - he has been looking for nightjars for a while (whereas I lean out the window at 3am and tell em to "shuddup"). I'll have to invite him over to see the kites as well (when Stuart finishes my knife so we can settle our differences - in the nicest possible way)!

Red

I am delighted Red....Lovely birds... Saw 9 of them together above the motorway near reading, not that long ago. I am still waiting to hear my first nightjar of the year, they seem to of abandoned the local forest here, the cleared areas that they like, have grown up some now...
I am ready for out little cut off.....

 

[twisted firestarter]

I am delighted Red....Lovely birds... Saw 9 of them together above the motorway near reading, not that long ago. I am still waiting to hear my first nightjar of the year, they seem to of abandoned the local forest here, the cleared areas that they like, have grown up some now...
I am ready for out little cut off.....

Yeah I spotted one near there too in March and posted here to get i.d.

http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=20198

 

[tomtom]

I forgot how unusual these were after living in Aberystwyth. I used to see them nearly every day up there you didn't have to go far to spot loads of them.

I would agree with your ID, I am by no means an expert, but the outline looks right!

 

[British Red]

I am delighted Red....Lovely birds... Saw 9 of them together above the motorway near reading, not that long ago. I am still waiting to hear my first nightjar of the year, they seem to of abandoned the local forest here, the cleared areas that they like, have grown up some now...
I am ready for out little cut off.....

I'm hoping stu will get it back in the coming week mate so we'll sort something as soon as I have it!

There am baby Roe deer in them thar woods too!

Red