Red Kites

Some consider Red Kites a pest only in that they make a noise when in numbers around housing estates, mainly in the north, shame, people should be glad they have been brought back from virtual extinction in the UK.
They are still uncommon in Dorset and still recorded in daily reports if seen.

 

Now that's definitely not on!

Pete I believe they are the only bird of prey in Britain that has a forked tail, so easy to tell apart from others.

 

We saw the Red Kites in the Chilterns, just off the M40. Can't recall the name of the nature reserve, which was near Watlington. Lots of them could be seen soaring on the thermals. In fact I placed some chicken skin from our picnic about 20 metres from us. Turned around to go back to the picnic area and one swooped down to take the skin. So I was the only one not to see it close up!

 

Birds crapping on my car. I fought hard with my local council to provide a marked disabled parking bay. Long story. My car/cars over the years have proved to be targets for accidents and bird patrols.
I contacted my council. They within a day or so, had the extended arm of the street lamp, over the bay, replaced by a much smaller LCD lantern. A few days resprite then. Judge John Maste Crow lands. Next thing, a twitch of the tail and....................................PLOP!!!

 

We once had a lunch stop at the Chilterns Gateway visitor centre just off the M1 near Dunstable. It was raining. We couldn't see a thing and got very wet.

G.