We moved to our new location in April 2022 and I was immediately amazed by the variety of birds right outside our windows but it was when we started to walk around the area that I started to see much more, especially the birds of prey.
First Red Kite - May 2022
Profile
In August 2022, a family of Red Kites appeared in the field opposite. I stood outside the kitchen watching them and getting these shots.
Red Kites
Red Kite feeding
with onlookers
I say family, I'm guessing as they all flew together for quite a while.
The Wood Pigeons didn't seem phased by the Red Kite nearby, maybe because it already had a catch?
Red Kite & Wood Pigeons
The shot above is cropped in to show more detail, I generally try not to over crop my photos, rather show the birds at the distance I saw them, as near as I can.
All the shots above were taken between 08:50 and 10:45, the group stayed around mist of the day, often moving out of sight then re-appearing
Red Kite hunting
I photographed them again around 14:30
I love the way they use their tail as a rudder.
I only noticed this Buzzard passing by after getting the shot.
Red Kites & Common Buzzard
Red Kite trio
I also hadn't noticed the three birds in this shot until I saw them on the computer.
Closer crop
It's quite difficult getting shots like these, the camera wants to focus on the bigger objects, the trees in the background.
Low flyer
It was wonderful to have a group of birds not too far from the house. In September I got a few more shots of a Red Kite over the back field.
They often fly directly over the house although, if I go out there, they tend to veer away.
Watching me?
You can often look at a bird and see that it sees you and is keeping an eye on you.
Left a bit, right a bit
Eyes on the ground
There are open fields to the front and rear of us with trees around them, ideal hunting grounds.
Close flypast
Just checking
Backward glance
is last couple of shots were later in September and closer to the house, which is always nice :)
Checking
Maybe they like the camera?
