Redkite sighting.

[JohnP]

I went for a 6 mile walk this morning and I was extremely surprised and happy to see six Redkites, although I've seen and photographed them many times in Wales, this is the first time I have seen them on my home patch. Some members of my local birding club have seen them in Herefordshire but further west near the Welsh border. Believe it or not I have waited years to see them in the Ledbury area where I live, they were not close enough to take photos so I just observed them with binoculars circling for a good 10 minutes.

[NannyFerret]

We don't get to see anything like that where we live, but we have seen a couple of redkites in North Wales.

[Kobione]

Bet you enjoyed your moment, John - I know I would have!

[JohnP]

Bet you enjoyed your moment, John - I know I would have!

 

I sure did Kobione.

 

To think there were only a few pairs left in Mid Wales in the early 1970's due to years of persecution by farmers and gamekeepers who falsely blamed them for killing game and lambs etc. Redkites are primarily scavengers, they do feed on living prey too but it's usually unhealthy and close to death anyway. From scientific research at Nottingham University we do know that the entire population of Redkites in 1977 emanated from just one female bird. Some years ago Redkites were brought over from Spain and a breeding and release program was started, today there are estimated to be around 600 breeding pairs in Wales and many are now moving into England where 200 years ago they were quite common.

 

Edited March 29, 2013 by JohnP

[Kobione]

That's fantastic John! Their decline is a bit similar to our Wedgetailed Eagles that the farmers blame for killing lambs, (in actual fact far more are lost to feral wild dogs), - like your Kites they are carrion feeders and will only kill fresh, if it is incapacitated in some way.