Red Kite in Suffolk

Discussion in 'Wildlife Corner' started by RandyRos, Jul 30, 2011.

Page 1 of 2
  1. RandyRos

    RandyRos Gardener

    Joined:
    May 7, 2009
    Messages:
    1,027
    Gender:
    Female
    Location:
    Norfolk
    Ratings:
    +404
    whilst out picking up new chickens in Weybread, Suffolk yesterday afternoon, we were just leaving the farm and my 15yr old son swore he saw a Red Kite sitting in a field opposite the farm.

    I looked up Red Kite in bird books and he insists its what he saw. I know they were almost hunted to extinction, but I don't know exactly where they can be found nowadays. Does anyone know?
     
    RandyRos, Jul 30, 2011
    #1 Quote in Conversation
  2. ARMANDII

    ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

    Joined:
    Jan 12, 2019
    Messages:
    48,096
    Gender:
    Male
    Ratings:
    +100,851
    Oh yes, they're around alright, Randy, and they're not extinct. They have been reintroduced back into England and Wales for some time now. I fish in Rutland, Peterborough, Leicester, Norfolk and Suffolk and I see them in pairs or even up to 6 at a time. Your son obviously saw one of the growing number of Red Kites as they extend their feeding range, so you'll probably see even more of them. I've been fishing just outside Oundle and had one come down to sit on a post not 20 feet away as it "chortled" to itself. It's a big bird and, by the way, is a Scavenger by nature and not a Predator.:D
     
    • Like Like x 1
      ARMANDII, Jul 30, 2011
      #2 Quote in Conversation
    • Boghopper

      Boghopper Gardener

      Joined:
      Dec 6, 2008
      Messages:
      816
      Gender:
      Male
      Location:
      (East) Sussex by the Sea
      Ratings:
      +225
      Is it possible you saw a Buzzard Ros? They ae not disimilar but are much more widespread. Although, just seeing Armandii's post, perhaps I'm talking rubbish!:heehee:

      Chris
       
      • Like Like x 1
        Boghopper, Jul 30, 2011
        #3 Quote in Conversation
      • ARMANDII

        ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

        Joined:
        Jan 12, 2019
        Messages:
        48,096
        Gender:
        Male
        Ratings:
        +100,851
        The Red Kite is a bit bigger than a Buzzard, and in flight has a very deep V flight tail, while the flight feathers at the extreme tip of the wing are spread out. It was very probably a Red Kite that your son saw as, like I said, the breeding program, along with the Osprey in the same area has been a great success and they will be extending their breeding and feeding range.
         
        ARMANDII, Jul 30, 2011
        #4 Quote in Conversation
      • RandyRos

        RandyRos Gardener

        Joined:
        May 7, 2009
        Messages:
        1,027
        Gender:
        Female
        Location:
        Norfolk
        Ratings:
        +404
        thanks armandii. i wondered if my son was mistaken, so i showed him several pics of red kites and he insisted its what he saw. great to know theyre doing well now :)
         
        RandyRos, Jul 30, 2011
        #5 Quote in Conversation
      • davygfuchsia

        davygfuchsia Gardener

        Joined:
        Dec 2, 2010
        Messages:
        895
        Location:
        Northamptonshire
        Ratings:
        +257
        Many Red Kites to be seen around Corby (Northamptonshire) and the surrounding villages including Oundle as Amandii's post mentioned .

        Dave
         
        davygfuchsia, Jul 30, 2011
        #6 Quote in Conversation
      • Scrungee

        Scrungee Well known for it

        Joined:
        Dec 5, 2010
        Messages:
        16,524
        Location:
        Central England on heavy clay soil
        Ratings:
        +29,001
        Most I've seen together is 35 about 15 mins from home when some one was regularly feeding them. They're over my house most days and have landed in the back garden. When I tend my veg plot there's normally at least a couple about checking out what I'm up to as I give them the remains of rabbits when I occasionally reduce their numbers.
         
        • Like Like x 1
          Scrungee, Jul 31, 2011
          #7 Quote in Conversation
        • Phil A

          Phil A Guest

          Ratings:
          +0
          Saw one in Wales once, you'd know the difference if you are used to seeing Buzzards.
           
          Phil A, Jul 31, 2011
          #8 Quote in Conversation
        • ARMANDII

          ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

          Joined:
          Jan 12, 2019
          Messages:
          48,096
          Gender:
          Male
          Ratings:
          +100,851
          What would you call 36 Red Kites together, Scrungee, a Kc]ollection of Kites??!!:D
           
          ARMANDII, Jul 31, 2011
          #9 Quote in Conversation
        • Spruce

          Spruce Glad to be back .....

          Joined:
          Apr 10, 2009
          Messages:
          9,154
          Gender:
          Male
          Ratings:
          +12,831
          Hi Ziggy I have saw in Mid Wales over 100 I was going to a meeting in a suit and my collegue told me about the feeding station so we went in our office clothes at least I had sensible shoes on she had 3 inch heels:heehee:

          But it was worth it . Everyone else had should I say very sensible walking clothes and boots
          But to walk in a forest to a clearing by a lake then the sky was just full and flying over your head just amazing.

          I have also saw a red kite flying over the M25 down by heathrow as they have a feeding centre around their my brother told me , you would notice the diffrence from a common buzzard by the large V in the tail

          They dont seem to like it down here by the coast though

          Spruce
           
          Spruce, Jul 31, 2011
          #10 Quote in Conversation
        • RandyRos

          RandyRos Gardener

          Joined:
          May 7, 2009
          Messages:
          1,027
          Gender:
          Female
          Location:
          Norfolk
          Ratings:
          +404
          i'm jealous now, cos i didnt see the kite. humph
           
          RandyRos, Jul 31, 2011
          #11 Quote in Conversation
        • ARMANDII

          ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

          Joined:
          Jan 12, 2019
          Messages:
          48,096
          Gender:
          Male
          Ratings:
          +100,851
          I've got a sneaky feeling, Randy, that it won't be too long before you do. It's a fantastic sight to see a pair of them using the thermals in the air to circle around and gain height without even so much as a flap of their huge wings. Just make sure you're not under one if it feels the need to "let go":D:gaagh::(
           
          ARMANDII, Jul 31, 2011
          #12 Quote in Conversation
        • RandyRos

          RandyRos Gardener

          Joined:
          May 7, 2009
          Messages:
          1,027
          Gender:
          Female
          Location:
          Norfolk
          Ratings:
          +404
          lol not nice. my youngest daughter was in that situ when a duck flew overhead. pew-wee did that stink!
           
          RandyRos, Jul 31, 2011
          #13 Quote in Conversation
        • Jupes

          Jupes Gardener

          Joined:
          Jul 10, 2011
          Messages:
          59
          Location:
          Suffolk
          Ratings:
          +16
          Could it have been a Marsh Harrier? They are quite widespread in North Suffolk now.
           
          Jupes, Jul 31, 2011
          #14 Quote in Conversation
        • RandyRos

          RandyRos Gardener

          Joined:
          May 7, 2009
          Messages:
          1,027
          Gender:
          Female
          Location:
          Norfolk
          Ratings:
          +404
          nope, it was defo a red kite.
           
          RandyRos, Aug 1, 2011
          #15 Quote in Conversation
        Page 1 of 2
        Gardeners Corner is dependent on Donation to keep running, if you enjoy using Gardeners Corner, please consider donating to help us with our operating costs.
        Loading...
        Similar Threads - Red Kite Suffolk
        1. Jenny namaste

          Red Kites

          Jenny namaste, Apr 23, 2019, in forum: Wildlife Corner
          Replies:
          19
          Views:
          2,163
          Jack Sparrow
          Apr 25, 2019
        2. Kandy

          Red Kites & Buzzard

          Kandy, Mar 28, 2008, in forum: Wildlife Corner
          Replies:
          9
          Views:
          832
          geckoman
          Mar 29, 2008
        3. Scatmod1

          Three cornered leek....arrrgh

          Scatmod1, Nov 28, 2025, in forum: General Gardening Discussion
          Replies:
          6
          Views:
          294
          Obelix-Vendée
          Nov 28, 2025
        4. Escarpment

          ID required please - grassy thing

          Escarpment, Nov 26, 2025, in forum: Identification Area
          Replies:
          17
          Views:
          656
          simone_in_wiltshire
          Nov 27, 2025
        5. TheMadHedger

          Why is my red Cyclamen turning pink?

          TheMadHedger, Nov 1, 2025, in forum: Other Plants
          Replies:
          9
          Views:
          559
          fairygirl
          Nov 3, 2025

        Share This Page

        1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
          By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
          Accept Learn More...
          Dismiss Notice