Good raptor day

[helenol]

Re-posting this thread.

It was a good day for raptors where I live. (last week in January I think!) The kites and buzzards were in full swing attacking each other, although the buzzards always come off worse, they soon reappear on the scene.

Unfortunately I wasn't able to manage to get the group of crows into the pic as they attacked the kites.

[A CHAPLIN]

Helen,

Thanks for the great photos, "aerial combat" at its best.

Look after those Kites.

Ann Chaplin

[helenol]

Just had another very very good view, only about 40 ft or so away, the kite was attacking the buzzard when the buzzard decided he'd had enough, turned over and showed his talons to the kite. For once, the kite flew off!

[helenol]

This is the guy who was attacked by the buzzard.

[salty]

yep, great stuff Helen. nowt like a good air combat scrap between crows and kites.

[Nina P]

Just simply fantastic Helen! I have been watching our Buzzards here and they are performing beautifully, I am still envious of you with the Red Kites, and lately I have seen several wildlife programmes and they all include the Kites, are you near the place that is up for sale but only to the person who is prepared to feed the kites? I was really intrigued with that one, just wished I had the funds!

[Nickademus]

Helen
I saw the kites while I was travelling up on the A40 to Birmingham on Saturday. Although I was driving I counted around 6 of them, but there must be plenty more around. My 'Birds of Britain and Europe', published in 1972 shows the Red Kite breeding in Central and West Wales and occasionally found in a small area of Southern Devon and Suffolk.
How widespread these birds have become since then!!

[helenol]

Hi Nick.. Well in the Chilterns, there are over 200 breeding pairs at the moment. In the Chilterns they are doing exceptionally well, plenty of natural food, (roadkill etc), woodlands for their nesting and open fields for their "scavenging".

The best place on the M40 is between junction 6 and juntion 4. You can on occasion see more than 30 of them together, being that they are gregarious birds. Once food is find, they all mooch around. Thankfully, they are spreading out slowly but surely.

Regards

[helenol]

Wow, what a sight today. Yes I know I go on about the kites, but one actually came down today onto the garage roof, whilst I was outside.

Usually, they wait until I've gone inside, and I only manage a passing glimpse at them soaring away.

But today, I was outside, standing near the garage, I'd put a chick on it, and I saw the kite circling. I could feel it "in me waters" that he was going to come down.

He started circling slowly, then twisted his body, and descended slightly, this happened a few times. A little like an aeroplane in a holding pattern is what it reminded me of.

Anyway, this carried on for about 10 minutes, when finally, he twisted his body to get into postion, folded his wings close to his body, and went into a steep dive to pick up the chick. All this right infront of me, well, about 20 feet away.

It's taken 9 months of patience, but at last it paid off, with the kite feeling confident enough to swoop down when I am outside, what a marvellous sight to watch.

[LSB]

Wow, what a sight today. Yes I know I go on about the kites, but one actually came down today onto the garage roof, whilst I was outside.

Usually, they wait until I've gone inside, and I only manage a passing glimpse at them soaring away.

But today, I was outside, standing near the garage, I'd put a chick on it, and I saw the kite circling. I could feel it "in me waters" that he was going to come down.

He started circling slowly, then twisted his body, and descended slightly, this happened a few times. A little like an aeroplane in a holding pattern is what it reminded me of.

Anyway, this carried on for about 10 minutes, when finally, he twisted his body to get into postion, folded his wings close to his body, and went into a steep dive to pick up the chick. All this right infront of me, well, about 20 feet away.

It's taken 9 months of patience, but at last it paid off, with the kite feeling confident enough to swoop down when I am outside, what a marvellous sight to watch.



I have just gone a bright shade of green . As I've yet to see a truly wild kite.Can you send one this way please..Sounds fantastic well done :clap: :clap:

[helenol]

Thanks very much. Yes, as I said, even though they fly very very low over the house on a daily basis, and I watch their antics, to see one actually coming down, not 20 ft from me, was just great. I could go on and on and ......., but I wont ;)

[wings]

Helen,

Thanks for the great photos, "aerial combat" at its best.

Look after those Kites.

Ann Chaplin
________
Anyone who wants to see superb photos of aerial combat go to: www.pbase, then click on "popular galleries" and finally look up the photo titled "the_steal"

[helenol]

It happened again this morning!! Because I put the chicks out rather late yesterday, there was one left over this morning, I went outside, and the kite was there again!! Twisting and turning, and diving to pick the chick up right in front of me!

I need to set up my camera, me thinks, but it happens so fast...

[Eagle]

It happened again this morning!! Because I put the chicks out rather late yesterday, there was one left over this morning, I went outside, and the kite was there again!! Twisting and turning, and diving to pick the chick up right in front of me!

I need to set up my camera, me thinks, but it happens so fast...


Get that camera set up Helen!!!!

Sounds wonderful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Greaaaaattttttt!!

[weather]

I get excited when a Chickadee lands near me; I can't even imagine what it would be like to have a raptor that close! Way to go H.

Mike

[helenol]

This is getting very silly indeed! After I posted about the kites this morning, I came across a rather dead looking vole. Up on the roof it went. Guess what, not one, but two kites swooped down together. Not sure which one got the vole though!

[Katy Penland]

Definitely need a video camera set up! Wow, that would be so cool to see. Could be the start of a documentary filmmaking enterprise for you, H! ;)

[digi-birder]

Do you do bed and breakfast? ;)

[helenol]

Do you do bed and breakfast? ;)
No, but now you mention it.....

[pduxon]

No, but now you mention it.....

what's the rate? do you do evening meals?

seriously - I am rather jealous!!

[Mickymouse]

what's the rate? do you do evening meals?

seriously - I am rather jealous!!
Maybe not if you looked in H's freezer LOL.

Mick

[helenol]

Maybe not if you looked in H's freezer LOL.

Mick
LOL !! Nice one Mick. I filled it up again yesterday ;)

[salty]

fantastic! - you definetly need to get some footage for us Helen. pics or video, anything will do!!! - keep us posted on anything kite please.

[matt green]

i wish those guys would hurry up and find thier way to south norfolk,matt
[gone down the butchers for bucket of offal]?

[Bluetail]

Helen, I'm definitely going to have to come up your way when I can find the time. When's the best time of year?

[helenol]

To be honest Jason, this next couple of months. The CCTV nestwatch should be starting soon, and the kites are very active at the moment. Also the buzzards have increased from 3 to 5 today.

[Bluetail]

Thanks for that, Helen. I'll see what I can do when I get back from the states, but it may have to wait until next year.

[Eagle]

Do you do bed and breakfast? ;)


Good job I know I'm only 40 odd mins away!!
But even tho I had good sights the other week I really appreciate how marvellous it must be to be able to see the Kites that close!!
You could set up a very thriving business!!!
Web cams will be next!!!

[helenol]

Not a great pic, but gives an idea of the activity at the moment around the house.

The yellow tag denotes one of last years chicks. He is a regular around here, and this morning he was in a "playful" mood with another 4 kites.

[Tammie]

Not a great pic, but gives an idea of the activity at the moment around the house.

The yellow tag denotes one of last years chicks. He is a regular around here, and this morning he was in a "playful" mood with another 4 kites.


Neat shot, Helen.

I've been noticing the same type of behaviour here the past couple of weeks with crows and ravens... they seem to be getting 'playful'..... spring must surely be on it's way.

[weather]

I'm envious H. All I have are House Sparrows and Rock Pigeons playing in my backyard. Nice Pic! Thanks.

Mike

[Quacker]

i wish those guys would hurry up and find thier way to south norfolk,matt
[gone down the butchers for bucket of offal]?

Do a deal with you Matt?

Half of our Gateshead Kites, for half of your Norfolk birds? - we'll throw in a couple of Black Grouse too ;)

Out of interest Helen, may I ask what camera and/or equipment you use? - I appreciate they are very close to begin with, but we get reasonably good (near) views of our Gateshead Kites. I have a few high zoom cameras (12x and 20x with converter) - assuming we can keep the camera still in the bitter wind up here!

Steve

[helenol]

I'm envious H. All I have are House Sparrows and Rock Pigeons playing in my backyard. Nice Pic! Thanks.

Mike
awww... you're time will come Mike, believe me. ;)