Hello from south Oxfordshire

Hello from Red Kite Country - I have just joined because, having managed to attract lots of lovely birds into my garden, in the last couple of  months they've all abandoned my food laden birdtable, but info on the forum has alayed my fears!
I am eagerly awaiting the first frosts.

Hi larkandwarbler - welcome to the forum - yep first frost they'll all be back. Wait till the breeding season you'll be constantly refilling feeders! We are on the edge of Red Kite country here (Montgomeryshire/Shropshire border) but we always enjoy driving down thru Oxford to see how many we can spot along the motorway - I have to say usually many more than we see in one go up here unless you go to the farm where they are fed. Lovely to see them flying and circling along the road ahead of you.

Hello and welcome from me. I have red kites overhead most days now - though I am still trying for a decent photo as they are rather high in the sky. One day....

Welcome to the forum Larkandwarbler! I'm also from Shropshire and have been lucky to see one kite fly over the village I live in! Like Lucy, I enjoy 'counting' the kites on my way up & down the M40!! :-)

Hi Lucybob, Squirrel & MarJus

Don't drive past!  Leave the M40 at Junction 6 the Lewknor turn, just past Oxford on the way down, go west 3 miles to Watlington then left up to Christmas Common - suddenly it's the remote unspoilt Chilterns. Wonderful walks and Red Kites everywhere, soaring, gliding, hunting with their mournful cries filling the air.
Sometimes if you're on a hill you'll see them below you quartering a pasture, gliding silently just above the ground. 
Each new sighting is a delight; it never fails to lift your spirits. 

 

Many thanks for that info. As I am not far from there I think a dedicated drive out is called for one weekend soon.

Squirrel

Many thanks for that info. As I am not far from there I think a dedicated drive out is called for one weekend soon.

Squirrel - do post any photos you take on your trip, and alert me to them!

Welcome from me too.  It's a great place for new friends and lots of birding tips.

I'm in South Wiltshire so no red kites here  A trip up your way is now on my long and still growing list of places to visit.

larkandwarbler

Squirrel

Many thanks for that info. As I am not far from there I think a dedicated drive out is called for one weekend soon.

 

Squirrel - do post any photos you take on your trip, and alert me to them!

I certainly will do. My experience of photographing them so far switches between too high up and no bird at all so hopefully this may prove more fruitful.

Thanks for those detour instructioons from off the M40, which we use on our trips to the north west. Only usually see Red Kites on the motorway.

Yes thanks very much for that info!! Will certainly leave an hour earlier in future to stop off for a while and may even do a day trip there one day!!

Welcome!

Welcome from Bonnie Scotland.

 

Dave

Welcome from me too! You will love this site, there are so many here that know so much that you will always find an answer and make some friends as well.

If anyone would like to a) see Red Kites & b) go for a good walk in the Chilterns, I've found this 8 mile walk meeting at Christmas Common at The National Trust car park - not till Sun March 21st 2010 - but why not plan ahead & have something to look forward to? I've copied it from the Chilterns AONB. org website.
You get there from exit 6 on the M40.  The Wormesley Estate is in a magical hidden valley and has its own private cricket pitch - used to be owned by a Mr Getty. There is a good pub near there for lunch - can't remember what it's called, will check.
Here are the walk details, copied from the website:

Site for a Sight of Red Kites Date(s): 21/03/2010
Time(s): 10am
Location: Christmas Common
Join this walk with fine views over the Wormsley estate and surrounding area. This site is where red kites were first released when they were re-introduced in the Chilterns in the 1990’s. The walk is suitable for intermediate walkers. Grid reference: SU709936   OS map:
 Contact information:   Getting there: Meet at the Watlington Hill National Trust car park. From the centre of Watlingon, head along Hill Road and the car park is on the right at the top of the hill.  Organised by: National Trails  Phone: 01865 810224  Email: Nationaltrails@oxfordshire.gov.uk 
 Event information:   Type of event: Countryside walk  Dogs allowed: Yes Free entry: Yes  Booking essential: No