Here is a poem about our local kites. They are nesting now that spring is here. In fact they start building nests by the end of February.
a red kite soaring above fields follows
an ancient path working the fine contours
that rise above the earth sun caressing
russet tail tilting towards an unseen
purpose no gap between thought
and action lengthening days
urge springtime mating
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You don’t happen to be on the Bucks/Oxon border do you Erik?
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Hi Hariod. No, in the NE of England. Here is a link to our website: http://www.friendsofredkites.org.uk
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Thanks Erik – I asked as I understand that Red Kites were re-introduced to the country on Paul Getty’s estate near Stokenchurch, though I may be wrong.
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Yes, kites were re-introduced there as one of the first re-introductions! The NE chicks came from there. (usually one taken from a nest of three; this optimises growing to maturity in all chicks!)
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Some people in the South are concerned that the Kites are becoming too numerous and destructive – how about where you are?
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A stable population here. Destructive?! Usually nature has a way of balancing things out.
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Probably urban myths about them seizing young lambs, other birds, or even domestic pets:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/health/pets-health/9228685/Red-Kite-tries-to-fly-off-with-handbag-sized-Pomeranian-toy-dog.html
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Red kites are light weight and live mainly on carrion. They are too light to kill anything larger than a young rabbit.
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Lovely poem! -I thought it was about flying paper kites!
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We often see red kites where I live at the foot of the Jura Mountain chain near Solothurn in Switzerland. We also have Mouse Buzzards. To tell the difference Mr. Swiss tells me that the kites have a forked tail and the buzzards not. I am not an expert, but luckily I live where the fox and hare say goodnight to eacht other (swiss saying) and am surrounded by wild life. We have a crow tribe in the trees and a magpie colony. You hear the owls at night and if you are lucky you might see a woodpecker, the big green ones with the reddish head. Interesting blog you have here. And the village population in cows probably outnumbers the people. we also have stables nearbye.
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I’m glad to hear that red kites are in Switzerland. It sounds as if you are surrounded by wildlife.
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