Unexpected Visitor

[miser]

Put a cooked chicken carcass on the back lawn outside my kitchen window this morning  for the jackdaws and crows to finish when a red kite zoomed in and tried to carry it off. It dropped the carcass and then made several swoops, taking fragments each time It made a couple of passes even when a crow had polished off the last bits. I've only seen these birds from a distance before and it was a wonderful experience to see one so close. 

 

[bhg481]

Yes, we get lots of them around us. Our neighbour occasionally throws food on her shed for them and it's fascinating to watch them swoop down for it. They're BIG!

[sunny-dave]

That's one of the few things we miss here in Kerry - we used to have whole battalions of wonderful Red Kites over us in Northants, but they are only slowly colonising the South of Ireland - one day soon though, one day soon

[ladybirder]

Such beautiful birds.  I had one follow me through a park in Leeds where they were first released, hovering over my head and looking down at me.  They have an absolutely massive wing span.  Love them.

[barry1010]

Fabulousl Shame you didn't have the camera handy, no doubt he will be back

[ladybirder]

I hope you've got another chicken carcass ready for tomorrow morning miser??

[miser]

Sadly no, ladybirder and I'm too mean to put out food we can eat ourselves.

[ladybirder]

That's a shame miser.  To see a Red Kite in my back garden I would put out whatever it takes.  I live in hope as I know they have been seen on the South Downs so not too faraway from Hove.

I'll try crossing my fingers;-)

[bhg481]

We've actually been asked not to put food out for them round here (western outskirts of Reading) because there are so many having them swoop down is getting dangerous. The other week I was waiting at a bus stop and counted 15 flying round.

[gingejbee]

We have red kites flying around and swooping down most of the time...but (for several reasons), you are advised not to put food out for them...

 

https://www.birdguides.com/news/dont-feed-red-kites-warns-rspb/

[bhg481]

I can count 11 in this photo

 

https://ibb.co/SwfSw5h

[Barmaid]

We see loads over us all the time and they are often very low.  We had some tree work done in early Spring and there was quite a bit of tree debris about.  Then we noticed the cats were repeatedly running in looking terrified but could identify no reason, but often the cry of a Red Kite was heard.  We then realised that they were coming into the garden to take the plethora of twigs away.  We got some great views.  It's not like there aren't any trees round here (there are hundreds), but I guess it was a quick fix for a lazy bird (and most birds of prey are lazy).

[gingejbee]

^although red kites are regarded as scavengers, rether than birds of prey...

[hellywelly4]

My daughter has many near her (Somerset) but I've never seen one despite living in several different areas over the years. So jealous!