Single hen

[Valkyrie]

I think it is going to be a regular now. Mum and I were in the garden earlier this week when all the little birds created such a racket. The girls stood to attention and I said "oh, it's only the sparrowhawk." Then the girls made a mad dash for cover and we looked up and saw the kite - circling lazily above us. It continued it's small circular meander along the gardens until we lost sight of it. It was back again yesterday (might have been the day before - I've lost track a bit), but the girls weren't bothered at all this time. The buzzards must be a bit miffed at the kite muscling in on their turf.

[Christian]

How strange that you should post this Koojie. I was hosting a hen party yesterday and a red kite flew over the garden It was massive! Maybe it was the same one?

[Cinnamon]

We have them nesting in the tall trees behind the house & some are truly huge.

In fact we were watching 5 of them circling over the house just 10 minutes ago.

I adore them & love the real Jurassic Park squawk they do

[Willow]

We usually have 3 circling overhead but I've not seen them the last few days. The chickens have never been bothered by them. Numbers are increasing well so they spreading out from Henley area.

[Omletina Kyckling]

There was a huge breeding programme near here about 5 years ago and we have 8-10 in the woods opposite us and they glide around over our garden all the time. Your girls should be safe as they're carrion feeders so are unlikely to go for moving prey, but my girls head for the bushes when they see their shadow, none the less. I think they are magnificent creatures and feel quite honoured to share their territory!!

[Valkyrie]

I haven't heard them yet as this is the first time I've seen it outside (probably didn't make a noise because there wasn't another to chat to) - before I've been in the car. OH said there were lots around Marlow and I think this may be one that has found it's way from there - I got very excited when I saw my first one on a trip to High Wycombe only for OH to say "oh they've been here for ages - I always see loads round here." Recently I saw them just this side of Reading, so gather they've gone along the motorway - perhaps that's their version of a fast food outlet then!

Christian, the lady at Hart Wildlife said that there were a few around Overton, so perhaps they are the same family as your one as you are quite close. I wonder if the Hawk Conservancy released any.

It's that tail that does it for me - such a lovely bird. I didn't know what it ate, but as the girls weren't fussed the second time, thought it was all hunkey dorey. They are more bothered by the hedgehog!

[Alis girls]

You are so lucky. We just have magpies by the dozen. However I did see some long tailed tits on the nuts the other day. I think we are too urbanised to have birds of prey. (North West London)

[Old Speckled Hen]

They are beautiful aren't they.

I see them along the M40 when I drive down to london.

Cinnamon, you are so lucky to have them nesting near you.

The biggest bird we get here is the Buzzard though there are supposed to be 2 Golden eagles in Hawes Water.

A kite was spotted some years ago in Hackney

 

 

In Shakespeare's day they were as common as crows.

[The Dogmother]

Phil's folks have loads around their farm in Bucks, but I hadn't seent hem up here until now. On Saturday, I was driving towards Northampton and saw a pair; stopped the car just to watch them

[Lydia]

We have them in great numbers here and I believe they nest in the woods at the back of us. I absolutely love seeing them too.

 

At work there is a lady who puts chicken breasts on her garage roof and 5 or 6 of them swoop down - it's quite a dramatic site and made even better if the sun is out casting their imposing shadows over the car park. The only downside is trying to get the kite poo off your car....

[Valkyrie]

The pigeons are bad enough!