Prior to the 1980s you had to go all the way to Wales to see Red Kites, and even then they weren't plentiful. However, on the 1st August 1989 5 birds were released in Stokenchurch in Buckinghamshire, with a further 88 birds released over the next five years. They soon became established as a breeding species, but were initially slow to disperse due to their gregarious nature and the fact that the locals were feeding them sausages.
They did eventually reach Hertfordshire and now there are estimated to be in excess of 1000 pairs in Bucks, Oxon, Herts and Berks. They are a familiar sight in Herts and probably more common than Buzzards which moved into the county some 30 years ago under their own steam.
Our garden backs on to a field which is normally used for a hay crop. Yesterday the crop was cut and this morning it was turned and raked into strips for baling. Turning the hay disturbs the small mammals living in the field which attracted no less than 9 Red Kites, which quartered the field hoping for a free meal. I had planned to do some gardening this afternoon, but I spent most of the time photographing Red Kites over the garden fence.
Welcome to Hertfordshire!!!!!!
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