Red Kites in Shropshire
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Soldato
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Buzzards galore up the Lune Valley, but no Kites.
Soldato
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Red kites are absolutely stunning to watch. They're one of the few things to love about Reading, as (I'm told) this and Wales were the two main areas in which they were reintroduced when they nearly went extinct.
They love riding thermals, so you'll see them a lot along motorways when the tarmac heats up. We also have large metal digester tanks at work, so you'll see kites circling low quite often.
They love riding thermals, so you'll see them a lot along motorways when the tarmac heats up. We also have large metal digester tanks at work, so you'll see kites circling low quite often.
We get Red Kites, Buzzards, Kestrels and Sparrowhawks around here.
One year we had a Sparrowhawk use our garden as a dinner table frequently.
Incredible birds, they’re insanely alert and quick but we managed to get a shot of it one day.
One year we had a Sparrowhawk use our garden as a dinner table frequently.
Incredible birds, they’re insanely alert and quick but we managed to get a shot of it one day.
We have about 10 that circle out the back of our house. There’s usually one squawking over our back garden.
I’ve tried to take a photo of one from my garden a while ago but didn’t have a longer zoom lens. This is the best I managed.
I’ve tried to take a photo of one from my garden a while ago but didn’t have a longer zoom lens. This is the best I managed.
I'm in Southampton too (Totton) and have seen the first one over the town this year. If you go a little north up the M3 from Winchester onwards you see loads of them. It's mainly Buzzards over the New Forest. There was a pair of peregrine falcons living on some pylons in May, and I've seen a Marsh Harrier too. I've not seen the Sea Eagle yet either.
My partner got me a falconry lesson in Gower when we last stayed there. Was incredible, we had the handler to ourselves and spent a good 2 hours there with a large variety of birds. A few red kites flew over whilst we where there however and he had to hide/put a lot of the birds away whilst they where overhead. Apparently they've become a real issue since there numbers where inflated in Wales thanks to reintroduction to England and they became protected. Very territorial birds that see off smaller birds of prey and even Buzzards in some cases.
They are beautiful birds to watch though. So graceful and I love that they're so easy to spot.
They are beautiful birds to watch though. So graceful and I love that they're so easy to spot.
I dunno, the kites here are constantly being attacked by crows. Hell, last night a heron was over my garden, so close in fact that my dog barked at it, after which a crow darted out of no where to attack the heron. Maybe I just have jacked up crows here
Do you have a link for this place?
I dunno, the kites here are constantly being attacked by crows. Hell, last night a heron was over my garden, so close in fact that my dog barked at it, after which a crow darted out of no where to attack the heron. Maybe I just have jacked up crows here
We have turf wars between jackdaw and magpie.
When the magpies were building a nest the jackdaw would sneak in and take it apart.
I'm not a fan of magpies nesting in the garden as they kill and chase away the other garden birds which are nice to see. So I'm very much team jackdaw.
But it is funny. You can tell how intelligent birds are. Its absolutely tit for tat
Here's a video. Its on a phone at high zoom
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We have buzzards galore where I am in the North East now. We never had them until a few years ago.
I also had a sparrowhawk in the garden, and I've seen a few peregrine falcons over near the quarry.
I've spoken to a few people who've seen red kites nearby, but I've never spotted one myself.
Also spotted a Grey Heron just sitting in a field.
I also had a sparrowhawk in the garden, and I've seen a few peregrine falcons over near the quarry.
I've spoken to a few people who've seen red kites nearby, but I've never spotted one myself.
Also spotted a Grey Heron just sitting in a field.
To the Falconry place? Sure!
Perriswood Archery and Falconry Centre | Perriswood, Swansea
Perriswood Archery and Falconry Centre is a family run business situated in the heart of Gower overlooking the stunning Oxwich Bay. Call 01792 371661
www.perriswood.com
The staff there are brilliant. Brian I think the chaps name was, he was excellent. Truly passionate about what he does which makes all the difference. If you can, try booking on an empty slot as we did.
We where actually the first people to book on after their year long covid closure and his enthusiasm to have people back was infectious. I really can't speak highly enough of it and can't wait to book on again.
Work buddy of mine had some great pics of the Peregrine on an electricity pylon close to the river Test. You probably have the odd sparrow hawk around too. Have a few here in Sholing. One caught a pigeon and sat ripping it's head off on my front lawn. It only managed to eat the head before a cat disturbed it. No idea why it started on the head first though, has to be more meat elsewhere on a pigeon I'd think.
To the Falconry place? Sure!
Perriswood Archery and Falconry Centre | Perriswood, Swansea
Perriswood Archery and Falconry Centre is a family run business situated in the heart of Gower overlooking the stunning Oxwich Bay. Call 01792 371661www.perriswood.com
The staff there are brilliant. Brian I think the chaps name was, he was excellent. Truly passionate about what he does which makes all the difference. If you can, try booking on an empty slot as we did.
We where actually the first people to book on after their year long covid closure and his enthusiasm to have people back was infectious. I really can't speak highly enough of it and can't wait to book on again.
This looks like a great present for my gf that I'd love too.
Thanks for the personal recommendation. Oxwich is a lovely place. Spot of kayaking too think!
My parents have a static caravan down there and I never tire of visiting. One of the most beautiful places in the country with some of the best coastal walks and beaches, though Wales is short of neither! If you know of or find any nice places to Kayak then please let me know
My parents have a static caravan down there and I never tire of visiting. One of the most beautiful places in the country with some of the best coastal walks and beaches, though Wales is short of neither! If you know of or find any nice places to Kayak then please let me know
I know of loads! I've been all over the South Wales coast. I moved here exactly for that. It's the best decision I've ever made in my life. No exaggeration. I love Wales. I doubt I'll ever leave
Always happy to have company if you're ever down here and want to get out
Rhossili (on the Gower) you can see seal. I got quite close to these guys without disturbing them.
Probably the same ones, that's where I saw them on the marshland between Totton and Nursling. I've seen Sparrow hawk dive into the garden a few times.