Blogs

You can always tell when things are busy with the kites as I usually forget to blog! 

Over the last couple of weeks we've started to release birds which is always really satisfying.  Although I've seen nearly 70 young kite taste freedom for the first time I'm always a little nervous when the birds fly out of the cages.  So far they have all flown off strongly, so I don't think I've got anything to worry about.  Because of the wet weather we've delayed some of this week's releases, but I'm hoping that it'll stay dry and we can get a few more out before the end of the week.

The birds that have already been released are doing well and are staying around the cages mostly as they gradually find their wings.  Yesterday there were four birds swooping and soaring over nearby fields which was pretty amazing to watch as they were only released a week ago.

We've really enjoyed the fantastic suggestions that have come in to our competition to name our young red kites (wingtags 70 and 71).  The chicks themselves are still coming back occasionally to the nest.  Mum (25) was on the nest on Friday evening preening herself. 

Those of you who have been to the nest camera CCTV will have noticed the large amounts of wool on the nest.  Red kites are experts at nest decoration and this year the Aberdeenshire nests have contained a variety of weird and wonderful items.  We've had a lot of sheeps wool, foam from car seats, rags, bale-wrap and several kinds of gloves.  Elsewhere in the UK more exotic items have been found!

After reading on the RSPB blogs all about ospreys and white-tailed eagles taking their maiden flight I was beginning to get a little jealous. But our young kites have done us proud and flown the nest! With the CCTV signal working intermittently we have been able to see that the nest is empty with the chicks coming back to the nest in the evenings it seems.

Last night I fed the kites we have waiting in the release pens which is always quite soothing.  They had a feast of hares and rabbits, but most were still feasting on the remains of their grey squirrels from breakfast or sleeping on their perches. 

The last few weeks have been so so busy, so apologies for the lack of blogging! 

The CCTV chicks are growing so fast and will fledge anyday now.  Unfortunately the signal has gone down due to last nights storms, but I hope we can get it fixed soon.

 All of this years birds that are to be released have arrived now so we've also got a lot of hungry kites to feed.

 Busy days!