Last year I noticed a lot more kestrels and red kites than usual in my local area in mid Hampshire. Has it been a good year for them around the country or just in my local patch?

Red kites are now a common daily sighting in my local patch, soaring the thermals with the buzzards, and quite often being mobbed by crows.  I have seen many on bus journeys to and from school, sometimes up to six at a time. They are a fabulous bird to watch with their tail constantly adjusting their flight path. Sometimes they come really close. Last year one came down very close to check out my dog which was running across a field. We were worried for a moment but it was obviously more than it could deal with!

 

We have seen lots more kestrels too while out in the car, hovering near the roadside by the fields or sitting on telegraph poles by the road. There’s nearly always one, or a pair, hunting just around the corner from my house in a couple of places. It’s always really good to see them.

I’ve tried and tried to take a decent shot of a red kite but just haven’t managed it yet. I did get one of a kestrel last year but it wasn’t hovering like this one. I will keep trying though and will hopefully be able to post them here when I get something decent.

Many thanks to fellow blogger Chris Rose,  who took these great photos.  http://fourmarksbirding.blogspot.co.uk/