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rossbird
29-09-2011, 09:07 PM
May be worth keeping eyes open next spring.






http://www.birdguides.com/webzine/article.asp?a=2909
Martin
30-09-2011, 08:22 AM
Fantastic, I'll be keeping my eyes open for them. Thanks for sharing this.

Martin
dave budd
30-09-2011, 08:38 AM
there certainly are some rare breeders on Dartmoor, I used to live in a village full of them!


Sorry, had to get that out :D


The shrikes are pretty little birds though, I hope they make a proper come back. We've got some red kites nesting nearby (3rd year in a row) here and the local birdy bloke is very excited about it. I wish I knew what I have flitting about in the woods, but my eyesight isn't that keen so they are either little/big brown/grey jobbies! Also they never sit still long enough for me to get me bins out.
Martin
30-09-2011, 08:45 AM
We saw a pair of Red Kites soaring earlier this year when we were check pointing around Leedon Tor earlier this year. A wonderful sight and most unexpected.

Martin
rossbird
30-09-2011, 10:22 AM
Going off the above posts, I assume Red kites are not a common sight in the South East.
That surprises me, I thought the habitat down there would be ideal for them.
Maybe, given more time, they will spread into that area.
Martin
30-09-2011, 12:27 PM
Don't know mate, we live in the South West. :)

Martin
rossbird
30-09-2011, 04:38 PM
Haha
I was thinking about how many Red kites there are further East when I posted:ashamed:

I blame my age.:D
Martin
30-09-2011, 05:52 PM
Haha
I was thinking about how many Red kites there are further East when I posted:ashamed:

I blame my age.:D

Ha ha ha!!! It comes to us all, some sooner than later. :D

Martin
jus_young
30-09-2011, 06:07 PM
The habitat is ideal but because the concentrations of releases were focused in Wales, and their food was 'topped up', they were less inclined to spread. As populations have increased then so has the range. I am positive I saw a Red Kite in North Devon about four years ago. People said I was barmy at the time but being a bit of a raptor fan I stand by my observation and say that they have been present in the SW for some time if only in small numbers.
rossbird
30-09-2011, 07:05 PM
I use the M40 on occasion, Jun6 around that area, there are good numbers.
I counted 33 once. I assume they are part of a release programme.
jus_young
30-09-2011, 10:59 PM
Some interesting facts here http://www.redkites.co.uk/
Martin
01-10-2011, 08:22 AM
Some interesting facts here http://www.redkites.co.uk/

That's fantastic. Have you read the pages and pages of comments at the end? Some of the abuse is just brilliant. :D :D :D

Martin