Red kites

[sherrardk]

Does anyone know if they have introduced red kites to the Welsh/Hereford border area? Thanks.

[WyeDyed]

There are plenty around 40 miles due west of Hereford so it wouldn't surprise me to find them spreading eastwards. I don't know if they are being actively introduced though.

[Buenchico]

See here:
http://www.rspb.org.u...ution_population.aspx

[sherrardk]

Thank you both. Used to go to the Chilterns to see them a lot when we lived in Aylesbury. The one I saw today was twenty miles west of Hereford and boy #1 reckoned he saw some others too (I was driving so couldn't get a decent look). Might go out that way next weekend for a walk and see if we can spot any others - I love the sound they make when they are calling to each other.

[WyeDyed]

They're not dissimilar to a buzzard but are quite distinctive in flight by their forked tail.
There are many in the Elan Valley area and there is a feeding centre near Rheader, well worth a visit of you're nearby.

[Andyvon]

Hi Sherrardk,

I live in Aylesbury and there are so many here and in the surrounding countryside now. If I'm outside there's usually one or both of the local pair in sight or just overhead looking down at me! I hope you get to see them soon in that area of the country.

PS. Didn't you do well getting out of this hole! There used to be nowhere more respectable and Home Counties than Aylesbury but that's all gone now - you probably know what I mean!


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[sherrardk]

Hi Andyvon - was never overly impressed with Aylesbury but thought that the town had been tarted up now. Leaving came at a big cost, jacked our jobs, sold our house and bought a pub (ended up bankrupt). However, things are on the up and quality of life is so much better (I am a stay at home mam, himself has got his own business), don't have pots of cash but who does these days? Do miss my house though, nothing like having the security of your own you (even if you have a massive mortgage on it!).

[Prudie]

I remember as a youngster in the 70s being driven by my family to the Elan Valley specifically to catch a glimpse of a red kite. I'm sure at the time there were only about 17 pairs in the UK and only in the Elan Valley (but that could be very distorted). I know they are far more widespread now.

[sherrardk]

There's a feeding station thingy just outside of Borth which is fab (but quite a distance and Borth beach is not relly our cup of tea). Just loved it when we lived in Aylesbury and you could go and see them the wild, just doing their thing. The noise they make is fantastic.

[Leapers]

If you are looking for somewhere amazing to see a lot of them then this place is beautiful! There must have been at least a hundred of them and at the feeding time it was just breathtaking to see them so close and in such numbers! It's only 20-30 minutes drive from where i live but i went last week for the first time and will certainly go again, scenary is also beautiful and makes a lovely walk and picnic area for the afternoon.

http://www.forestry.gov.uk/bwlchnantyrarian

[WyeDyed]

This is the feeding centre near Rheader (About an hours drive from Hereford)
http://www.rhayader.com/redkite.html

[sherrardk]

That's the place we've been to - absolutely fab, but a bit too far away.