I imagine we’ve all seen Red Kites in the sky above the Chilterns. They’re easily seen when driving on the M40.
Earlier this year I saw a group of them flying over the Ranges alongside Red Road in Lightwater. However, last week, I spied one flying low over Lightwater’s village centre. They’re unmistakable big birds, with soaring flight, deeply forked tail, and large patches of white on the underside of their wings.
I wonder if this sighting presages the arrival of the Red Kite in Lightwater.
Image from www.redkites.co.uk
A lone red kite was spotted over the 4th fairway at Windlesham Golf Club on Sunday 7 August. I come from the Chilterns where these are a common sight. Beautiful to see as they quarter the ground for prey but somewhat distracting when trying to hole a putt! Timothy
By: Timothy Lambert on August 8, 2011
at 5:05 pm
as a response to red kites in lightwater. they are indeed here, i live in windlesham and i see them every day, they come from the m3 behind 12 oaks and fly over my house and towards lightwater. there is at least three in this same area as ive seen them together. also lots of buzzards about too.
on xmas day i was cooking my turkey on the bbq and one flew over and started circling my house watching me cook, it was quite freaky actually..lol
By: james on January 13, 2012
at 8:35 pm
I saw one last week low over my house in Lightwater – the first I’d seen. It makes sense really as they are very numerous around the M4 and I guess weight of numbers is bound to force them south – all the Red Kites in south and central England come from the reintroduction scheme based around the M40 between 1989 and 1993, so you can trace their southwards spread. I would expect that in a couple of years they will be commonplace overhead (especially as they like motorways!).
By: leftoflightwater on January 15, 2012
at 10:38 pm
Did I (and my son) spot 2 or 3 Red Kites soaring high above the Sainburys on the Blacwater Road yesterday afernoon 150112? Beautiful afternoon and from a distance they certainly were displaying Kite-like soaring but by the time I stopped the car they were too far away for my eyes! My son is adamant and we are familiar with S Bucks area where they are prevalent.
By: Don on January 16, 2012
at 8:28 pm
Im pretty sure I saw a Red Kite yesterday in Tilford at the kerb of charles Hill road..It had a large wing span struggled to take off over the fence then flew up in to the trees! It was the largest bird Ive ever seen outside a zoo!!
By: nicki wilson on February 17, 2012
at 7:46 pm
This afternoon I saw another range-expanding bird in Lightwater for the first time – the Ring-Tailed Parakeet. There has long been a colony of these in SW London and in recent years they’ve spread to Virginia Water. I’d expect them to become a regular sight in Lightwater in coming years as the climate warms.
Last week I also saw in Lightwater a Little Egret – 20 years ago this was an extremely rare creature indeed in the UK, but increasingly warm conditions have allowed it to spread its range from France up into southern England. They’re a fabulous bird to see.
By: leftoflightwater on February 25, 2012
at 3:46 pm
Wow, good news on seeing a Little Egret in Lightwater. Agree, they’re splendid birds. In our holidays in the past to Southern Spain they were a regular sight. Your comment, reminds me that I need to get out into our local countryside more, and to take my binoculars.
By: timdodds on February 25, 2012
at 9:20 pm