Red Kites hunting worms

[treadlightly]

I regularly see them on walks in the Chilterns and they are spreading. Wonderful birds and great for viewing as they hover low over the ground.

 

[Gray1100]

Beautiful bird and what a fantastic photo - thanks for showing.

 

[WULF]

Fantastics shots and great birds.thanks for sharing them.

 

[John Fenna]

Yes indeed they are, they're gradually expanding their territory (along with their numbers) westward from the Chilterns and we now have them as far west as Wiltshire.

Ah - the Spanish imports!
As I understand it Spanish birds were released in the Chilterns to re-introduce Red Kites to the area. They are so successful that birds/eggs from the Chilterns are now being taken up to Scotland for release there. A great success story
Over in West Wales the Red Kites are thriving from the natural local stock - once so rare (6 pairs?) that they were guarded by the army!
Our village is called "Boncath" from the Welsh "Bwncath" = buzzard (very common around here)... but now there are more Red Kites to be seen than Buzzards
I have seen Buzzards hunting for worms by stomping around on just thawed fields ...
Those are some of the best photos of Red Kites I have ever seen - keep up the good work!