To think that the Welsh kite population bottle-necked at a single female ...
Saw one flying low today on the way to Oxford. By the Cringe it was fecking huuuuuge!
Hah!" If you think kites are big, just wait until you see an eagle close up
(kites are longer-winged, but not as chunky as buzzards).
its a shame that so many are killed along the A40
It is, but in a way I suppose that's a sign that they are more common
Yup, indeed.
I spotted a kite whilst driving to Inverness on Friday. A good population in the Black Isle - and the Black Isle Brewery does an organic Red Kite Ale
That's where I cut my kite teeth, so to speak. Unfortunately, the Black Isle kites are cordoned into a small enclave by persistent bird-of-prey persecution in the surrounding area. Birds there originate from a reintroduction programme begun at the same time as the Chilterns releases, but the Black Isle population curve has plateau'd as birds have run out of safe areas to spread to.
The Black Isle brewery is (used to be) housed in an old farm steading. "Red Kite" is a nice piece of branding and not bad beer, but I think I like their bog-myrtle-"hopped" Scotch best.
Anyhoo - great birds and great pictures