Very exciting Red Kite siting!

[PEV]

I was driving on the A421 at the roundabout intersection of Whaddon Rd (about 1 mile South of Whaddon Village) when over a field next to the road I saw 3 Red Kites. They were circling but low enough for me to see the chestnut colours of the lowest with the light wing patches.
I think they were interested in something in the field to be so low and attentive.
I believe this sighting is very significant as it suggests the Kites are 'local' and likely breeding.I've seen the odd single Red Kitehigh in the sky over North Milton Keynes where I live but never three together and I believe this may be a family group who may well of bread in the area I saw them as Whaddon Chase woods are right next door!
Every time I am in Aylesbury at football I see one or two but does anyone know of Kites breeding so far away from their Chilterns stronghold.
PEV

[rolf]

That's good news, they've made a major foothold down here in Berkshire, great to see they are gaining ground up your way.

[ladylouise62]

Yep, good news. Since they have picked up so well and so quickly over here (Oxon/Berks), it must only have been a matter of time. I still stand in awe as they glide over, so some happy days for you

[Catherine]

Only saw one on our way down from Evesham. It was flying low over a field near Oxford's Peartree Interchange beside the A34.

No chance of a pic, going at 70mph (min.!), but it was easily identifiable with its forked tail!

[rolf]

There's a real Red Kite hotspot further along the M40 towards Stokenchurch, not unusual to see double figures in the skies there.

[PEV]

Yes also Watlington (Junction 6 on M40) just drive into the town and park in the town car park. I have seen a dozen at a time circling also the wooded hills above the town are a nice walk/picnic and you can see the kites from above sometimes.
Ray

[PEV]

I have just been told by a reliable source (and an old aquaitance) that a pair of Red Kites have nested and raised a young one in a spinney just north of the River Ouse at Cosgrove Northants.
----Myself saw a Red Kite flying low over the River Ouse bridge at Old Stratford on saturday 29th September so it seems we now have Kites breeding way north of the Chilterns 'hot spot' and well away from the other Kite introduction area of Rockingham Forest. What a fantastic happening and now we may start to see these magnificent birds over North Bucks!!

Yes also Watlington (Junction 6 on M40) just drive into the town and park in the town car park. I have seen a dozen at a time circling also the wooded hills above the town are a nice walk/picnic and you can see the kites from above sometimes.
Ray

[rolf]

That's great news, even though they are quite common in the skies here, I still love to look up at them.