Friends of Red Kites - in the North East of England (12 Viewers)

[dannyboy]

Bardon Mill

June I haven't seen this kite I just noticed it had been reported on the NTBC site I've copied the posting.

"Red Kite, Waders and Black Grouse – 24th Feb 2014


Red Kite hunting over fields near Bardon Mill at *Thorngrafton* 10.00hrs this morning, drifted off West and lost to sight toward Henshaw. A visit to the East Allen valley in good weather (a pleasant change) this afternoon. Lapwing now well established on many upland sites with both displaying birds obviously on territory and several sizeable groups also in attendance. At *Hollin Green near Keenley* 2 Greyhens graced a roadside dry-stone wall and on the moor Red Grouse were displaying and a group of 30+ very vocal Golden Plover provided a musical backdrop. At *Knockshield near Spartylea* a group of 4 feeding Greyhens and nearby 20+ Red Grouse, a party of 3 Curlew dropped in. The usual field at *Swinhope Shield* held 10 male Black Grouse. Onto *Paxhill (nr Allenheads)* 5 male and 3 female Black Grouse, group of 8 Curlew, Lapwing everywhere including a group of 120+. Red Grouse displaying all over moor more than 20 males seen. Small group of Golden Plover also put in a fly-by. *Carr Shield* was quiet with only 2 female and 1 male Black Grouse at the usual site, again Red Grouse very common and displaying all over the moors Good birding all Stewart"

Paul

 

[dannyboy]

June further reports of at least one kite in Northumberland I don't know the people mentioned but do know if Alan Tilmouth has reported one it will be a reliable sighting.

Paul

Red Kite – 2nd March 2014
One today seen at three different locations (by different observers) late morning and may be lingering in the area. At 11:00 returning from a kid’s football game I had one cross the A1 near Little Waters flying southwest. Texted GB from car and later got a reply that they had connected, possibly at Big Waters and it had gone ‘straight through’.

Later in the day I read that JPD had seen a Red Kite from the top of Weetslade CP at just after 11:00 and that MPF had seen one around Gosforth Park earlier in the week.

Edit: Also received a text late on that one was watched mobbed by crows near Moor Farm Mcdonalds at 10:30

 

[Mickr]

June further reports of at least one kite in Northumberland I don't know the people mentioned but do know if Alan Tilmouth has reported one it will be a reliable sighting.

Paul

Red Kite – 2nd March 2014
One today seen at three different locations (by different observers) late morning and may be lingering in the area. At 11:00 returning from a kid’s football game I had one cross the A1 near Little Waters flying southwest. Texted GB from car and later got a reply that they had connected, possibly at Big Waters and it had gone ‘straight through’.

Later in the day I read that JPD had seen a Red Kite from the top of Weetslade CP at just after 11:00 and that MPF had seen one around Gosforth Park earlier in the week.

Edit: Also received a text late on that one was watched mobbed by crows near Moor Farm Mcdonalds at 10:30

I'm sure a Red Kite has been seen in that area at least a couple of years ago, I seem to remember one being around Moor Farm for a while. I would guess that the three sightings above are probably the same bird(not necessarily the one from a couple of years ago) but it could also be a pair which would be good.

 

[barnstormer]

A couple of half decent Kite shots taken from kite hill yesterday.

 

[salty]

I will keep my eyes peels for moor farm/gosforth.....I'm around there most days.

Do see buzzards there and kites will often be found in the same places so I will be on alert :t:

 

[dannyboy]

Cheers Richie any reports will be of interest

Thanks Paul

 

[dannyboy]

Kites

A couple of half decent Kite shots taken from kite hill yesterday.

Nice Shots :t: it's amazing what bit of sun can do

 

[dannyboy]

Kites

I'm sure a Red Kite has been seen in that area at least a couple of years ago, I seem to remember one being around Moor Farm for a while. I would guess that the three sightings above are probably the same bird(not necessarily the one from a couple of years ago) but it could also be a pair which would be good.

A pair would be fantastic if they were to successfully breed

 

[Mickr]

A pair would be fantastic if they were to successfully breed

Red Kites should be successful in that area, the mild weather over the last 3 months plus can't have done them any harm at all.

We've had some really poor winters and springs for a few years which has probably assisted in holding them back. You would expect that the Kites should have a record year this year as long as they are left to get on with it.

People are constantly out monitoring them so we should get our most accurate numbers because more people are monitoring more areas more regularly. Add the casual bird watchers who are reporting sightings to the extra monitoring and we should get an excellent idea of what is happening. Nobody should underestimate the importance of reporting a Kite sighting, especially at this time of year.

People should volunteer if they want to help monitoring, it can be a brilliant hobby and rewarding when you locate a new and unknown territory, especially when the pair have a successful breeding season.

 

[dannyboy]

Red Kites should be successful in that area, the mild weather over the last 3 months plus can't have done them any harm at all.

We've had some really poor winters and springs for a few years which has probably assisted in holding them back. You would expect that the Kites should have a record year this year as long as they are left to get on with it.

People are constantly out monitoring them so we should get our most accurate numbers because more people are monitoring more areas more regularly. Add the casual bird watchers who are reporting sightings to the extra monitoring and we should get an excellent idea of what is happening. Nobody should underestimate the importance of reporting a Kite sighting, especially at this time of year.

People should volunteer if they want to help monitoring, it can be a brilliant hobby and rewarding when you locate a new and unknown territory, especially when the pair have a successful breeding season.

Your post has mentioned several excellent points hopefully the mild winter will help this years breeding season. There is a lot of monitoring happening at the moment so we should get some accurate data about our local population. We always appreciate any reports of sightings from anywhere in the North East and it's surrounding area so would love to hear of any either via this forum or the website of the Friends of Red Kites. Finally you are right people should consider volunteering if they want to help with the work of the FoRK team again details are held on the website. We have some excellent volunteers currently assisting with the current breeding survey. Thanks for the post

Paul.

 

[salty]

Cycled up and down the Derwent yesterday, superb views as usual....really must get a scope again and do some proper birding up there

 

[dannyboy]

2014 Breeding Survey

Thanks to our Chairman Ken Sanderson for an enjoyable trip round some local sites during the latest Kite Breeding Survey.

 

[dannyboy]

Out today

Nice trip out today including some of our Gateshead Kites

 

[Mickr]

Nice trip out today including some of our Gateshead Kites

That last photograph is Red Philip and the Kite with him looks like it has a transmitter on its back so it's one of the original Kites that were introduced. A few of the original Kites now have no wing tags so aren't identifiable until the worst happens. Hopefully he's found a new female this year as he's always been a good successful father, when given the chance.

 

[dannyboy]

That last photograph is Red Philip and the Kite with him looks like it has a transmitter on its back so it's one of the original Kites that were introduced. A few of the original Kites now have no wing tags so aren't identifiable until the worst happens. Hopefully he's found a new female this year as he's always been a good successful father, when given the chance.

Hopefully you are right Mick

Paul

 

[Mickr]

Hopefully you are right Mick

Paul

Did the Kite partially hidden have a wing tag? You can see the light patch behind its head, between its wings which is almost certainly a transmitter. The only time I have seen that light patch on a Kite is when I've also seen a transmitter aerial, they are easier to recognise when you get a side view.

Sorry if I'm trying to teach my granny to suck eggs.

They are nice photographs.

 

[Boro Birder]

I've just recently started volunteering for F.O.R.K, looking forward to giving my all in this years breeding survey, if anyone has any sightings from the Wynyard area of Teeside would you please let me know via the forum or PM.

Thanks
Damian

 

[dannyboy]

Did the Kite partially hidden have a wing tag? You can see the light patch behind its head, between its wings which is almost certainly a transmitter. The only time I have seen that light patch on a Kite is when I've also seen a transmitter aerial, they are easier to recognise when you get a side view.

Sorry if I'm trying to teach my granny to suck eggs.

They are nice photographs.

Mick No wing tag on the other bird but yes you are right it does look like a bird which had a transmitter attached. And don't worry about your granny I'm always open to suggestions and advice.

Paul

 

[dannyboy]

I've just recently started volunteering for F.O.R.K, looking forward to giving my all in this years breeding survey, if anyone has any sightings from the Wynyard area of Teeside would you please let me know via the forum or PM.

Thanks
Damian

Nice one Damian I'm also brand new to helping out FoRK and really enjoying it. You have your work cut out at Wynyard but it would be great if you did come up with something.

Paul

 

[Boro Birder]

Nice one Damian I'm also brand new to helping out FoRK and really enjoying it. You have your work cut out at Wynyard but it would be great if you did come up with something.

Paul

Hi mate,
Yeah I honestly don't think there is no breeding Kites up there but you never know, I have just been giving details of a breeding pair but not in my allocated location.
Have you already been out surveying your area ?
I already nest record for the BTO so will also record any nests I find whilst out looking for the Kites, 2 birds with one stone, (Pardon the pun)
Hope it's a successful breeding season and we find Red Kites breeding in locations what were never known.

Thanks
Damian