With all of the excitement of this year new chicks, sometimes I think the original birds from last year can be a bit forgotten. Today, though, I had great views of red kite 30, released in July 2007. Somehow kite 30 has ended up without a name, and today our very own 'Jane Doe' flew up in front of my car as I was out radio-tracking on local back roads. She landed in a neighboring field still with the half rabbit leg she had foraged. I was able to easily read the wing tags with my binoculars and then had a quick opportunity to admire what a beautiful adult she has become. The slick silver-grey head, forked red tail and newly moulted red trousers look awesome in the autumn sunshine - yet another time when I wished I had my camera with me!
I left her to enjoy her lunch though, while I headed off to find my own.