279 - One of the really delightful birds that can be see around the Chiltern Hills is the Red Kite. These beautiful birds can frequently be seen gliding with wings outstretched, and they turn by a small twitch of the tail.
Today there were around twenty Red Kites flying over Stokenchurch, so I couldn't resist trying to get a shot of one. Here is the best of a dissapointing series of shots.
By the early 20th century few red kites survived in the UK - they were restricted to a small part of Wales. In the late 1980s a reintroduction program established a small colony in the Chilterns, and later in other areas of the country (including north of Leeds). This reintroduction program has been a huge success, and they are now incredibly common in the Chilterns, and make an incredible sight gliding overhead.
Cool shot. They are great to photograph, We have them here too. But then I am only a few miles from Stokenchurch.
In 1979 I did a project in a valley in Wales. I saw there both red kites from one of the only two breeding pairs left in the UK. So I a really proud to see them thriving in the Chilterns and other places. Their return is fantastic. Lovely shot.
Thank you Netkonnexion - It's amazing how well they are doing and how many there are. Some have been released north of Leeds, and they are growing in numbers too.
These buggers are so difficult to capture on camera - it's as though they can sense you getting them in range! They are one of the semi-unique things to this area, and I love seeing them overhead on a daily basis.
Thank you Helen - they are indeed hard to catch! There must have been twenty of them over Stokenchurch, but as soon as the camera is pointed towards the sky, they disappear. I managed to get this one when it wasn't paying attention!
In 1979 I did a project in a valley in Wales. I saw there both red kites from one of the only two breeding pairs left in the UK. So I a really proud to see them thriving in the Chilterns and other places. Their return is fantastic. Lovely shot.
Thank you Therese, glad you like it.
Thank you Mickey, it was great watching these birds fly low over the houses.
Thank you Judith, it did take quite a few attempts!
Thank you Janet, there were a lot here and in the surrounding areas
Thank you Bob, they are beautiful in flight.
Thank you Tara, they are so graceful as they glide.
Thank you Netkonnexion - It's amazing how well they are doing and how many there are. Some have been released north of Leeds, and they are growing in numbers too.
Thank you Pyrrhila, these are such beautiful birds to watch as they glide around.
Thank you Brian - I could never get fed up of watching these graceful birds.
Thank you Tony, it was a bit of a struggle, but I got this one in the end!
Thank you. these are great birds to watch.
Thank you Carol - they are such beautifully coloured birds.
Thank you Ann, glad you like it
Thank you Ladyjane, these are beautiful birds.
Thank you Howards, glad you like it.
Thank you Marie, it was a beautiful but cold day and ideal for highlighting the colours of the Red Kite.
Thank you Caren, it was great to see these birds in flight and to try and capture them.
Thank you Helen - they are indeed hard to catch! There must have been twenty of them over Stokenchurch, but as soon as the camera is pointed towards the sky, they disappear. I managed to get this one when it wasn't paying attention!
Thank you Kd - there are lots of these beautiful birds around here, but they are quite camera shy - I caught this one when it wasn't paying attention!