Red Kites

[Craig]

A few images of Red Kites which I took a little while back at our local festival.
These kites were totally wild and kept swooping down on the festival goers.

[Fogey]

That's what happens when they are hand fed, Craig.  They shouldn't be so familiar with humans.

[Clicker]

Some nice images there Craig. …. They are beautiful creatures…. Where was this ?

[Craig]

7 hours ago, Fogey said:

That's what happens when they are hand fed, Craig.  They shouldn't be so familiar with humans.

We have at least 10 flying around all the time here. I have to say I have never seen anyone getting close to one as they fly off instantly. But I totally agree if people are leaving out food, I would imagine it wouldn't take them long to connect humans to food.

[Craig]

7 hours ago, Clicker said:

Some nice images there Craig. …. They are beautiful creatures…. Where was this ?

We have almost a dozen flying over and around my house everyday. I live right next to the biggest open space in peterborough. So lots of little mammals everywhere here for them to catch. I do however have to watch our two boys when they go out into the back garden, as I have seen them try to swoop down on them more than once.

[Fogey]

There are areas around the country where the Red Kites are fed daily.  It's just another source of income for the farmers, (charging the public to witness this feeding display), who have jumped on the conservation band wagon.

Red Kites are scavengers rather than predators - the dustmen of the animal world - although a gamekeeper acquaintance tells me he has seen Red Kites flying low over fields and meadows pouncing on the young of ground nesting birds.  However, that is anecdotal and could very well be the gamekeeper's bias

In Scotland, they are fast becoming known as a pest, continually raiding dustbins and the like.  Still with the protection of birds act, they are going to increase in numbers exponentially.

 

[Craig]

27 minutes ago, Fogey said:

There are areas around the country where the Red Kites are fed daily.  It's just another source of income for the farmers, (charging the public to witness this feeding display), who have jumped on the conservation band wagon.

Red Kites are scavengers rather than predators - the dustmen of the animal world - although a gamekeeper acquaintance tells me he has seen Red Kites flying low over fields and meadows pouncing on the young of ground nesting birds.  However, that is anecdotal and could very well be the gamekeeper's bias

In Scotland, they are fast becoming known as a pest, continually raiding dustbins and the like.  Still with the protection of birds act, they are going to increase in numbers exponentially.

 

That would explain a lot...
I know very little about them to be honest.
We have a large estate called the Fitzwilliam Estate here which owns only the Lord knows how many acres of open land. 
What you have just said would fit perfectly into everything.

Thank you Fogey for the info. 
Craig

[Ryewolf]

Great shots Craig

[Clicker]

Really nice shots Craig ..... beautiful raptors ... I love to see them and they are reaching  this part of Worcestershire now too ... maybe half a dozen sightings this past year  above my garden though they are common on a daily basis on the Marches and Shropshire Hills   where my sister lives....

[Fogey]

On 11/02/2024 at 20:49, Clicker said:

Really nice shots Craig ..... beautiful raptors ... I love to see them and they are reaching  this part of Worcestershire now too ... maybe half a dozen sightings this past year  above my garden though they are common on a daily basis on the Marches and Shropshire Hills   where my sister lives....

And with a westerlly wind, that's two minutes flying time from one of the feeding stations in Wales.

[Clicker]

Well .... that makes sense, now you mention it Fogey, when one talks about as the crow ( kite ) flies ! ... I didn't really   think about that  before ... doh ... 

[JohnP]

Very nice images Craig, I had two Red Kites and a Buzzard circling over my bungalow a couple of days ago, I do get the odd Buzzard overhead but I've only ever seen a Red Kite once before. Like you I have been forced to take a long break from the forum due to my wife being so ill, sadly she died on Wednesday evening. I have not used my cameras  for over a year, I will have to learn to take photos again as I have pretty much forgot how to use my cameras.

[mikbone]

we have these birds in the skies above Harewood house near Leeds, West Yorkshire 

[Craig]

4 hours ago, JohnP said:

Very nice images Craig, I had two Red Kites and a Buzzard circling over my bungalow a couple of days ago, I do get the odd Buzzard overhead but I've only ever seen a Red Kite once before. Like you I have been forced to take a long break from the forum due to my wife being so ill, sadly she died on Wednesday evening. I have not used my cameras  for over a year, I will have to learn to take photos again as I have pretty much forgot how to use my cameras.

Thank you for your kind comments John. 
I would like to offer my genuine sincere condolences for the loss of your wife, it has to be totally horrific for you all.

Craig
 

[skullfunkerry]

Cracking images! I love seeing the kites when I travel for work. I used to only see them on the M4 corridor, but as mentioned they're spreading now. Still haven't seen any here in Essex yet (although my mum has, about 30 miles north of me).

I'm still waiting to see one when I have my camera and long lens... doesn't sound like it'll be too much longer before they're here too.

[Fogey]

On 09/03/2024 at 07:16, JohnP said:

Very nice images Craig, I had two Red Kites and a Buzzard circling over my bungalow a couple of days ago, I do get the odd Buzzard overhead but I've only ever seen a Red Kite once before. Like you I have been forced to take a long break from the forum due to my wife being so ill, sadly she died on Wednesday evening. I have not used my cameras  for over a year, I will have to learn to take photos again as I have pretty much forgot how to use my cameras.

My sincerest condolences on your loss, John.
Speaking from experience, the rawness you feel now will fade in time, trite but true.  My thoughts go out to you.