Hope you've managed to have a look at the red kite webcam http://www.rspb.org.uk/ourwork/projects/details/274636-aberdeen-red-kite. Its a first for Scotland and we're all getting addicted! I find myself logging on to the computer all through the day to check on them. Not much happening at the moment min! Think they must just have been fed and have been left alone to digest. Mum will be sat not far away though; keeping an eye on them. Today, for the first time this week, the male was on the nest and fed the chicks for a short while before the female took over. It was good to see him as he's not been seen much recently - probably foraging for food.
This week we are at Union Square in the centre of Aberdeen with the live footage on a big screen - come down and see us if you're passing!
As I write an adult has come down and sitting behind the nest in th sun - what a nice way to spend an evening!
It feels like the wind will never stop here. After last weeks gusts of 70mph, we're getting blown about again and so are the kites. Fortunately I don't think we have lost any nests, but the youngsters on the red kite webcam were holding on this morning and staying low in the nest. When mum (Fairview) was on the nest feeding late morning she was sitting with her back to the wind and looked rather ruffled and not her usual graceful and elegant self!
Keep watching online - just search for Aberdeen Red Kites from the RSPB hompage. I find myself constantly checking them when at home - last night we didn't realise how late it had got, as we were so enthralled by the red kite family, until the camera turned off at 10pm!
A couple of weeks ago we installed a camera on a local red kite nest and we've been enjoying watching the footage at VSA Easter Anguston. Yesterday all the other parts of the jigsaw came together and we have footage online for the first time! You can view the webcam here http://www.rspb.org.uk/ourwork/projects/details/274636-aberdeen-red-kite and I hope you enjoy.
The footage is live between 6am and 10pm every day and if its sometimes a bit jumpy is because we're using a line at the farm which isn't really designed for this sort of thing! If there isn't a picure its most likely because the wind is causing problems with the transmitter.
Hope you enjoy and look forward to hearing about what everyone sees.
This weekend has been a bit of an uncomfortable one for our red kite female and mum, Fairview. With the frequent showers she has been sheltering her chicks as they are still too small to be waterproof themselves. They don't seem to be appreciating this though and could be seen wriggling underneath - not very comfy for mum! Despite the wind and rain of the weekend, both parents brought in lots of food (almost entirely small rabbits) and the chicks were well fed.
Earlier this week we gathered together in a wood on the outskirts of Aberdeen to install this year's camera on a red kite nest. More to follow of course, but this is what greeted our climber when he went up the tree to afix the camera.
Three healthy chicks that look like they are a week old. The female is the same this year (Fairview) and the male is new (Red Dave). We had expected to find eggs in the nest still, but Fairview and Red Dave are 10 days earlier than last year, so surprised us a bit! Thanks to Ewan Weston for the use of his great picture.
Off now to look for more nests!