Black-winged Kite Central France (1 Viewer)

[Mike Beer]

I took these photographs this afternoon in 18170 central France. The weather was horrible windy and lots of rain. The bird was a very long way away. Please confirm Black-winged Kite. I have seen it for a couple of days either in or around our garden.
Mike

 

[ndsutcliffe]

Confirmed 👍

 

[Bewick]

I understand your hesitation- in most bird guides- including the collins bird-guide second edition their range maps only include a small area of southern France however that its undoubtedly a black winged kite. I saw them for the first time during my latest trip to central France- had a pair only about a mile from my house. I knew that they were in my region because of e-bird- but my dad was extremely surprised. I believe the first pair to have bred in France happened in the 90's and have now made it as far as north western France.

 

[lockbreeze926]

Excellent garden bird!

Those red eyes are distinctive.