Chiltern Raptors

[brachiopod]

No, not a punk band..... but I was driving up the M40 on Saturday when I spotted a bird of prey gliding close to the edge of the motorway. It was not a kestrel, or any other falcon, or a hawk.

It was more buzzard shaped, but seemed too reddish / buff for a buzzard. I'm tempted to think it was a red kite. (Bare in mind I was driving so couldn't look too closely!)

The thing is, I saw another about half a mile later - then another, then more, followed by a group of about 15 to 20 all on the wing. Over a stretch of a few miles I must have seen over 50+ birds.

Can anyone confirm what they were? And if there is a large kite population in the Chilterns?

[Annlinda]

I dont think your eyes were deceiving you the birds you saw probably were a red kites. Did they have forked tails?They have been introduced into the area. Been there a few years now. Seen them near Woburn Bedfordshire when I went. They are up near the Rockingham forest. as well. No need to go to Wales to see them anymore.

[Jules001]

Absolutely agree with Annlinda, I have rellies who live over that way and we always see loads of red kites when we are there, they fly over the back garden and are a magnificent sight. They seem to be doing very well out there, especially as one of the pub landlords feed them daily.

[horsestache1]

Wow I'm impressed it certainly sounds like a Red Kite. I've seen a pair on the South Downs in Hants, but that it, just one pair.

Lucky you

[burnhal]

The numbers of chicks raised by Red Kites in the Chiltern Area is now in the several hundreds each year. If you go to Stokenchurch you are guaranteed to see at least a dozen hanging over the town. Numbers in the area have stabilised- likely due to competition for food- and they are spreading outwards. I have seen them as far East as Dunstable Downs, as far south as some ten miles south of Newbury and as far west as Oxford. A bunch have been released in Yorkshire now and there is a release program in Scotland as well. Regarding the feeding- if people are feeding them in their gardens make sure its chopped up or whole carcasses- meat on its own is no good- there is a lot of nutrients to be absorbed from the fur, bones etc.

[tyler durden]

I bet u were near high wycombe when u saw it. It would have been a kite, they are everwhere now, if u want to see some more, take a drive from west wycombe to princes risborough or thame & u'll pass at least 5. I remember when i first saw one in my area a few years ago, i thought i was seeing thing when the silouette of what looked like a great big falcon glided over my car.

[brachiopod]

Thanks everyone!

As I was driving, I couldn't really check for the forked tail, Annlinda, mind you, as a distinguishing feature, I wouldn't have known about it until I got home and looked up kites in my books!

I have seen them in Wales, (where I'm originally from), and still considered them to be a somewhat 'rare sighting' - so I was quite astounded by the sight. I have been going up the M40 about every few months for the last few years and have never seen any before!

Jules thanks for the 'seconding', burnhal for the info, and to horsetache & tyler for showing an interest.

Hope I see them again next time I'm up that way.