Wednesday 19 November 2014

Go Fly a Kite

On Saturday and Tuesday we had a look at the local Red Kite Roost.  Things didn't look very promising on Saturday with most participants driving through thick mist.  However, the afternoon started well with multiple Mistle Thrushes, a Goldcrest, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Marsh Tit and Greenfinches all in the adjacent area.  However, yesterday all these were absent as the car park area was much busier.  
Red Kite
Red Kite (c) 2014 Maggie Bruce
We shared cars to the viewpoint, and on both days in the virtually wind free conditions many of the Red Kites were perched in trees.   In total we saw 33 birds on Saturday up to 3 o'clock, with much fewer there yesterday morning.  However, on both visits we saw Buzzards, Fieldfare, Redwing, Jay, Marsh Tit, Nuthatch and white Pheasants.  As far as I've been able to determine there are no Bramblings in the area this year.  
 Red Kite (c) 2014 Maggie Bruce
 Red Kite (c) 2014 Maggie Bruce
The biggest surprise was the Barn OIwl family we saw on Saturday afternoon - 4 birds in total.  This is a bird that's recently struggled on the wolds after some harsh winters, so it's really good news to find at least one area where they appear to be thriving.  On Tuesday, just one was on show, but even so it proved popular - it's one of those species, which most people seem to enjoy watching.  
Barn Owl (c) 2014 Maggie Bruce
 Barn Owl
 Nuthatch (c) 2014 Maggie Bruce

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