Aberdeen Red Kites

Autumn kites

2008-10-17T16:26:00Z

With all of the excitement of this year new chicks, sometimes I think the original birds from last year can be a bit forgotten. Today, though, I had great views of red kite 30, released in July 2007. Somehow kite 30 has ended up without a name, and today our very own 'Jane Doe' flew up in front of my car as I was out radio-tracking on local back roads. She landed in a neighboring field still with the half rabbit leg she had foraged. I was able to easily read the wing tags with my binoculars and then had a quick opportunity to admire what a beautiful adult she has become. The slick silver-grey head, forked red tail and newly moulted red trousers look awesome in the autumn sunshine - yet another time when I wished I had my camera with me!

I left her to enjoy her lunch though, while I headed off to find my own.

Off on their travels again

2008-10-10T09:50:00Z

With the bright and sunny days that we had in early-September a lot of the newly released red kites left the area immediately around the release site and headed off for an explore. The fun since then has been in trying to find them!

Whilst down at the Scottish Red Kite Meeting this week though a couple found us! At Argaty Red Kites in amongst the 25 or so red kites that waiting for feeding time were two Aberdeen birds. We saw Stinky Pete (28) sitting in a dead tree and heard newly released 49 using the radio transceiver. 49 had also been seen at the weekend, feeding on worms in the fields.

I'm so pleased that our birds have found a great new place to hang out. Argaty now has a warm visitor centre with very welcome hot chocolate!

Hasn't time (and red kites) flown?

2008-09-10T14:03:00Z

A rather belated blog this time! In the weeks since our last posting, much has happened with the Aberdeen Red Kites. After a final flourish of growing all of the birds had their radio transmitters fitted and were released by the 1 August. We had lots of great press coverage of this year's releases, with fantastic pictures in the local papers. The birds themselves aren't too bothered by the media interest, and all flew away from their cages with the graceful strong flight we have become accustomed to.

Most birds have remained fairly local; some still coming into the food we have been putting out, while others have been joining up with last year's birds and integrating well to the Aberdeen population.

Next blog will be a bit of an update on last year's birds, with old favorites like Millie and Stinky Pete! In the mean time if you are lucky enough to see one of the Aberdeen Red Kites we would love to here about it at aberdeenredkites@rspb.org.uk or through the comments pages.

They just keep growing!

2008-07-18T15:03:00Z

We've now had some of the red kite chicks for six weeks, so we're getting ready to let them go. They've all pretty much finished growing and although they weigh the same as when they arrived, their wingspans' are an impressive 5ft! All of the kites are spending their days sunning themselves and making practice flights around the cages. They get very excited when one of last year's released birds flies over and they start to calling to eachother.

Now their tails are finishing growing the radio transmitters can be attached and they are ready for the off. One thing's for sure it won't be long before they are joining the other wild Aberdeen red kites!

Squirrel security!

2008-07-09T12:17:00Z

Now we have the full batch of this years kite chicks we're getting into the swing of getting all of their food ready. This year the chicks are mainly being fed on grey squirrels that the Forestry Commission are trapping around Aberdeen. They are perfect kite sized meals, but it takes a bit of time preparing 25-30 every day. So I'm glad we have star volunteer Ewan who is a wiz at squirrel preparation!

Apart from that the cages are getting a bit stinky as young kite chicks aren't really the best tenants! The CCTV cameras are keeping an eye on the cages for us in between our twice daily visits. Its really important that the birds remain undisturbed for the next few weeks to give them the best possible chance once released. Just think how many squirrels we have to get through before then though!