wolfbirder
Well-known member
64 in Cornwall today, in 3 different flocks, and 7 along Kent coast.
Is this unusual?
Is this unusual?
Don't know if it's ever been proven, but it's thought they are non-breeding birds from the Welsh population (or English population - although that doesn't really explain why they turn up in W Cornwall first) doing a wander around as opposed to coming up from the continent. (Occasional Black Kite and Honey Buzzard have also sometimes been reported at same time, which could be coincidence, or evidence of an alternative origin)
Think it's a relatively recent phenomenon (last decade or so).
Agree on the Woodpigeons, but not here - the Continent hasn't seen the recent population increase seen in the UK as a whole and coincidentally in this annual influx. The paucity of associated Black Kites etc., also suggests more likely UK origin.It's not thought by everybody. IMO the idea makes no more sense than the suggestion that the large numbers of Woodpigeons seen crossing the UK each autumn and then coasting West are the annual British Woodpigeon convention (a quick wander round and then back - to expire within five km of home as proven by ringing data) and not migration from Scandinavia. Of course the kites are continental birds migrating.
John
Agree on the Woodpigeons, but not here - the Continent hasn't seen the recent population increase seen in the UK as a whole and coincidentally in this annual influx. The paucity of associated Black Kites etc., also suggests more likely UK origin.
Any wing-tagged birds among them that might shed some further light?
If they are English/Scottish birds then perhaps they are passing through unseen until they hit Lands End and have to turn back? Smaller numbers in eg Kent too could be hitting the coast
There were already reckoned to be a thousand pairs of Red Kites in Wales in 2011 (Brit. Birds 107: 523 - just before the species was dropped from the Rare Breeding Birds Panel). 30 youngsters could be from just 20-30 nests; a pretty small proportion of the total. So no need to look further afield :t:Welsh population is expanding rapidly with new territories being established year on year so many youngsters are obviously looking around, but the sheer numbers make me think they may have travelled even further.
That fits in well with the phenomenon of autumn raptors arriving and turning back at Sagres (southwest tip of Portugal). Pretty strange is the idea of southward moving birds in the spring. Also, aren't Red Kites avoiding sea crossings, at least in groups, altogether?
They don't come northeast much if at all - but that's hardly surprising as if they do, they run into a barrage of gunfire and poison :storm:Given it's based on dispersal rather than true migration, movements can be in any direction.