We were very close to losing the Red Kite in the U.K. The bird, once very common in Britain had been eradicated as a breeding bird in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland and only a handful of birds clung on in the Welsh mountains. We were down to 1 breeding female and about 4 or 5 males. Thankfully, due to a re-introduction scheme, this magnificent bird is a fairly common sight once again in various parts of the country. We are very lucky in the Peterborough area in having a healthy population of this bird, it is an annual tick on my PBC list and is almost taken for granted. Almost, but not quite.
Lisa and I have just spent a few days in the midst of Wales and paid a visit to a site where they feed these birds. It wasn't the famous Gigrin farm, but a Forestry Commission place called Bwich nant yr Arian. At three o'clock every day, come rain or shine (rain on the occasion of our visit), 10kg of meat is put out to tempt these birds to come down and feed. They do not disappoint. Over 90 of these birds circled above our heads and perched in the surrounding pine trees, waiting for their chance for an easy meal. At first one bird tentatively had a look and then they descended en-mass.
As I have said, an annual sight in my area, but I have not taken this bird for granted. Hopefully we have learnt from the past and will not persecute this magnificent creature to the verge of extinction again. Am I being naive?
Hi John,
ReplyDeleteI suppose you have realized by now the red kite is something special to me. For more than 20 years I have photographed it, fed it, carried it, monitored it and cared for it and it still gives me a kick every time I see one. I shall be up at the farm in about a weeks time where I expect to see more than 500 birds at feeding time. Glad you enjoyed yourselves.
Hi Mike,
DeleteI did want to visit Gigrin, but was unable to, so went to Bwich nant yr Arian instead. Although the numbers weren't quite that of Gigrin it was still a sight to behold.
J
Fortunately conservation and re-introduction seems to be more prevalent than extinction these days. Or am I being naive?
ReplyDeleteClick here for Bazza’s Blog ‘To Discover Ice’
Hi Bazza,
DeleteI think that conservation is doing an awful lot of good these days, although there are still numerous species of animals and birds that are teetering on the brink of extinction in Britain. Hopefully we won't lose track of these by getting carried away with the positives.
J
Hi John,
ReplyDeleteApologies for my human not being around much lately. It leaves it up to me to comment.
When my human was staying with friends in Cardigan, Wales, they observed a number of Red Kites. A wondrous sight.
Pawsitive wishes, Penny the Jack Russell dog and modest internet star :)
Hi Penny,
DeleteThey are wonderful birds to see! I don't think you had much to worry about from them though, they tend to feed on carrion! ;)
J
A nice bird to have on your annual tick list John, we dont have them in our part of North Wales, that I know of, keep hoping to get down to Gigrin, but will look up the place you visited also, great post. Regards Gary
ReplyDeleteThanks Gary,
DeleteThey are found in several places in the U.K. now, but there are still a lot of places void of Red Kite, apparently they inhabit only 5% of their potential range.
J
That's a gorgeous raptor! It bears a faint resemblance to the Bald Eagle.
ReplyDeleteHi Brian,
DeleteFunnily enough, that is what my wife said when she saw the photo! :)
J
Ever so slightly naive perhaps John.
ReplyDeleteYou know what the RSPB are like, in few years time they will likely support blasting them out of the sky.
Hi Roy,
DeleteI thought I was! The RSPB are a great organisation, but I agree, they can be terribly fickle at times.
J
A fantastic sight to see John.
ReplyDeleteWe have a few here at MK at times, but further south, down Oxford way, they are a common sight.
I think I tend to agree with Roy about the RSPB. They do seem a bit fickle at times.
Hi Keith,
DeleteI was born and brought up not far from M.K. and my parents still live there, so they are a regular sight from their front room. Other family members live in South Bucks and so the numbers they see are even greater!
Have to agree about the RSPB, but it won't make me stop my membership.
J
I have just seen one locally (Cheshire)a couple of years ago but plenty in Mid-Wales.
ReplyDeleteWonderful to see in numbers.
Hi Andrew,
DeleteWe are lucky in living fairly close to a re-introduction site and consequently having good numbers about. Hopefully they will spread your way soon! :)
J
We felt so privileged to get a glimpse of the Red Kite in the Brecon Beacons, and we learned of the introduction scheme when visiting Friko. I did not realize how close they were to disappearing. A terrible thought, and so glad to see that there is hope for their revival.
ReplyDeleteHi Susan,
DeleteThey are a magnificent sight. It is amazing to think that about 40 years ago they were as rare as hens teeth, but now, although not common, a regular sight in our skies.
J