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We are now into November, so it is time once again for Top Lodge to start up our exceedingly popular series of walks to see the red kites coming into roost. Many places around the country have feeding stations that attract kites to allow people to see large numbers. But such projects can always seem...
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Exactly 150 years ago, in 1859, when Charles Darwin wrote On the Origin of Species, the countryside around his Kent home would have looked much the same as it does today. However, the father of evolutionary science would probably find it incredible to realise the number of changes which have taken place...
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I've been below the radar a bit recently, like many of our adult kites who have gone off to moult and recoup after a busy summer season. But like them also I'm now back and ready for winter! In the last couple of weeks the kite roosts have come into their own again with up to 20 birds sharing...
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The last few days have really shown how diverse (and great) my job can be. On Friday myself and some local members of the Raptor Study Group attached the remaining birds with radio transmitters and wingtags so they are ready for release. Yesterday I had a lovely walk up to the cages in the sunshine for...
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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...
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The kite chicks that is. They have finally taken the plunge and are now no longer on the nest. over the last couple of weeks they had only been appearing at infrequent intervals. Usually just after the parents had dropped some food off at the nest. Mum and Dad have finally got bored of waiting hand and...
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If you've been meaning to come to Top Lodge to see the kite chicks on the nest, you'd better get your skates on. The three chicks are getting ever more adventuresome. In preparation for their first flight they have taken to 'branch hopping', where they leave the nest for nearby branches...
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I'm a free...... kite? Our three red kite chicks are now sporting their very fetching wing tags. These light plastic tags clip over the kites' wings and allow them to be identified from a distance. Reports of their movements will help us understand the kites and how they live their lives better...
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The great news from the centre is that our blue tits have fledged. Of the eight chicks, four left yesterday and the remaining ones left today. They can still be seen around the centre though, being fed by their parents. As can other baby birds such as pied wagtails and house sparrows. This weekend will...
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I'm pleased to announce that the red kite nest camera is back up and running, with three fluffy chicks on the nest. They look to be about a fortnight old and we look forward to watching them grow up, probably leaving the nest towards the end of July. As well as showing the footage in the RSPB shop...
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If you come to the Top Lodge centre you may very well see a kite drifting overhead. If you do, chances are it will be the bird that has been nicknamed 'Special K'. Why the odd name? Well, it is really called Purple K, the name referring to the colour and letter on its wing tags. The purple colour...
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But we certainly are not getting fat. In fact we are busier than ever with two exciting events to prepare for. This Sunday sees the start of our red kite roost walk season. We are running walks to see the entirely natural spectacle of red kites coming to roost at night every Sunday and Wednesday from...
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Today is a busy day for us here at Top Lodge, as we are holding a 'Meet the RSPB' event. Visitors can come along to hear about all the marvelous work the RSPB does, both locally with the red kites and also across the rest of the country and internationally. We have a year long programme of events...
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In the last post to this blog we reported that the eldest chick had flown the nest. We are pleased to announce that all three chicks are now airborne. The youngest chick hung on in the nest for ages, but finally went on 11 July. The chicks do reappear at the nest from time to time as the parents drop...
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The exciting news is that the eldest chick is now airborne. It has been keeping us all on tenterhooks for the past few days by hopping around on branches near the nest and disappearing from view. But finally on Monday it took the plunge and made its maiden flight. The middle chick looks set to follow...