Blogs

We've now had some of the red kite chicks for six weeks, so we're getting ready to let them go.  They've all pretty much finished growing and although they weigh the same as when they arrived, their wingspans' are an impressive 5ft!  All of the kites are spending their days sunning themselves and making practice flights around the cages.  They get very excited when one of last year's released birds flies over and they start to calling to eachother. 

Now their tails are finishing growing the radio transmitters can be attached and they are ready for the off.  One thing's for sure it won't be long before they are joining the other wild Aberdeen red kites!

Now we have the full batch of this years kite chicks we're getting into the swing of getting all of their food ready.  This year the chicks are mainly being fed on grey squirrels that the Forestry Commission are trapping around Aberdeen. They are perfect kite sized meals, but it takes a bit of time preparing 25-30 every day.  So I'm glad we have star volunteer Ewan who is a wiz at squirrel preparation!
 
Apart from that the cages are getting a bit stinky as young kite chicks aren't really the best tenants!  The CCTV cameras are keeping an eye on the cages for us in between our twice daily visits.  Its really important that the birds remain undisturbed for the next few weeks to give them the best possible chance once released.  Just think how many squirrels we have to get through before then though!

Following several hundred miles of driving, all of this year chicks have made it safely to Aberdeen.  Last week Alister from Aberdeen Countryside Project and I headed to the Chilterns to pick up the 20 birds that they had collected.  They had been looked after really well by Helen Olive over the last fortnight.  After an early set-off on Friday we called in to Northamptonshire to pick up the 10 chicks that they had collected.  Fully loaded with 30 chicks safe in their SkyKennels we made it back to Aberdeen in the evening.  Joining the 5 birds already collected from Central Scotland all enjoyed their first Scottish meal of grey squirrel.
 
All birds look in good condition and it won't be long at all before they're ready for the off in about six weeks.  At the moment though its off to get more food ready for all those hungry mouths!