wycombe birds

[Iknownothing]

I was travelling along the M40 and between Stokenchurch and High Wycombe I saw four or five large birds of prey, much bigger than kestrels or kites. They weren't together as a group but all in the same small area.

Does anybody know anything about them.

[bluenile]

They are most likely to be buzzards. If you go to www.rspb.org.uk you will be able to have a closer look.

[Cetti]

Lucky you!

I'm going to stick my neck out and say they are definitely Red Kites.

 Along the M40 corridor they are now almost commonplace. Many people have sighted them going to and from work, especially in the High Wycombe area.

 Their size is surprisingly large,  bigger than the Common Buzzard, but it's the forked tail shape, the number seen in the same area, and also their superb aerial antics that say that your birds are Red Kites.

There are many sites to help you decide, here's one:

 

http://www.chilternsaonb.org/caring/red_kites_where.html

[Jules001]

I agree with Cetti - they are definately Red Kites, I have family who live near High Wycombe and they fly over their house all the time. I always try to remember to take the binoculars with me when I visit. There are loads of them in that area

[FP]

Must take a trip to High Wycombe.  How wonderful.  We have Marsh Harriers around us (North norfolk).

[Sproutstick]

Yes - they are DEFINITELY red kites!!  My mum was on the phone to me last night telling me that my auntie (who lives near Stokenchurch) has them coming into her garden all the time!!  Mum says that she's been putting chicken out for them and they have been swooping down to eat it!!

 

How odd when I saw this post!  We live in Lancashire, so it's even stranger!

[Cetti]

Sproutstick - where your Auntie lives is part of the Red Kite territory. Have a look at the link I gave, and you will see Stokenchurch mentioned.

They really are taking over the country in a big way, and as they're not strictly birds of prey, but scavengers, they're future  looks pretty rosy.