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[Taz2]

It is upsetting - the birds in my garden seem to have got quite good at keeping out of my pair's way but it is still upsetting when they take them off the feeder.

CLKD - don't you have many kites in your area - we have a lot here and have got really used to seeing them.

Taz x

[Lynne888]

We had loads of kites in Oxfordshire, but since we moved to Shropshire - none!

Yes the birds are good at keeping out of his way but he usually manages to catch one.. upsetting.

[CLKD]

Nature in the raw and if we continue to put food out for the smaller birds we must expect the hawks to arrive.

Kites are as far as Banbury but only seen nearer to us in recent weeks.  Apparently they have started to take sleeping cats from patios 

[Taz2]

It is rare for a kite to attack live prey as they are scavengers and rather lazy so hopefully they wont make a habit of it http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/petshealth/9228685/Red-Kite-tries-to-fly-off-with-handbag-sized-Pomeranian-toy-dog.html

Taz x

[Lynne888]

Do you think the cat thing is true? They do tend to like dead things.. that's why they live by motorways.. but I guess a sleeping cat could look dead!

[Taz2]

I'm not sure. I work in a small village school and the kites are always around. Next to the school they have free running rabbits and guinea pigs in their garden and the kites have never shown an interest. I expect it depends on how much carrion there is around or how easy earthworms are to get out of the soil as they do adore a tasty worm or too just like Buzzards. This report is a bit less sensationalised http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-berkshire-17866195

Taz x

[Taz2]

Is anyone else watching the Springwatch live cams? http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/18035848  The owls are priceless and as for the teeny goldcrest - what a work of art that nest is. http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/18035848

Taz x

[CLKD]

Apparently sleeping cats are a target.  Problem is a lot of people feed kites large slabs of chicken which they have become used to.  My sister had a buzzard take a chick from in front of her one morning, leapt out of the nearby apple tree, swopped up live chick and away butshe knew there was a nest locally.  She was quite shocked and rang me at once.

[Taz2]

My baby woodpigeons have just hatched - what a windy day. I am terrified of the nest blowing down but the proud parents look very puffed up and pleased with themselves! Sixteen days they have been sitting on the eggs and they have a month to do now until they are ready to fly.

Taz x

[CLKD]

 

[Taz2]

They do this every year - it is not always successful. It will be a long month....

Taz x

[san]

congratulations to the proud Landlady of the nest 

[Taz2]

They are a bit dithery - not very quick on the changeover at the nest - I can see the magpies having an easy meal out of this pair to be honest! Wouldn't be the first time it's happened.

Taz x

[san]

  magpies

[Taz2]

They are only feeding their young just like any other bird though. Not nice for us to contemplate but it's the way it works. It could be the jackdaw or the jay too. It is so windy still so I am not getting my hopes up this time.

Taz  x