Wednesday 19 March 2014

Kites Gone a Wool-Gathering

On Wednesday we travelled to the Yorkshire Wolds, where we enjoyed great views of large raptors, such as Red Kites and Buzzards.  The red Kites seemed to be completing their nest building.  We saw an individual carrying a twig, and one carrying what appeared to be carrion at first.  On closer inspection it proved to be wool.  Apparently, this is added to the nest only a couple of days before the first egg is laid.
Red Kite
 Ditto
 Red Kite
 Red Kite
 One Red Kite landed in a tree near our vantage point in both sessions, so each group could enjoy the rather unusual sight of a perched Red Kite. 
 Red Kite with Wool
 Ditto
 Red Kite (c) 2014 Tony Robinson
 Buzzard (c) 2014 Tony Robinson
Meanwhile the seemed to be sparring going on between 2 male Buzzards, while the female left them to it. 
Buzzards
 Ditto
 Ditto
 Ditto
 Ditto
 Ditto
 Ditto
 Ditto
 Ditto
 Ditto
In the morning we saw 26 species of bird, including Redwings, Greenfinches indulging in the butterfly courtship flight, and both Pied and Grey Wagtails.  In the afternoon we added a pair of Marsh Tits.  Although we didn't have a great haul of species they were quality sightings. 
Pied Wagtail
 Ditto
 Redwings
 Small Tortoiseshell

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