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[Hurdity]

We don't have kites here and only saw one for the first time last year! Here the buzzard reigns supreme 

Oh dear how dare a bird of prey disrupt golf!!!

Hurdity x

[CLKD]

I know a person who had a kitten taken by a kite  - it is unusual but the bird thought it was dead ……

My sister had a chick taken by a buzzard in front of her, she was so shocked she rang me  - it had swopped, taken the 2-day old chick and flew away ……. putting to bed the myth that they only take worms, carrion etc..

It takes my breath away when a kite flies over the house - they haven't been in our area only since June 

[Taz2]

Buzzards do hunt as well as scavenge but set a 500g limit on live prey  - not sure how they work it out though 

I think the  red kites are gradually being reintroduced in most areas so it's worthwhile keeping an eye out. We have dozens here (Hampshire/Berkshire) and we don't really take much notice now. Looking at this it's amazing how far they have managed to spread http://www.bto.org/about-birds/bird-of-month/red-kite

Taz x

[CLKD]

They were re-introduced in Wales and the Chilterns - any sightings are due to the young being mobbed away by the parents before each new breeding season ……….. which is why those from around Waddeston/Biscester are now floating further afield 

I think I saw marsh harriers in Norfolk last week …….

[Taz2]

They are in most counties now - lots of different release sites although the Chilterns was the second one I think? Many sightings on Dartmoor and right through into Cornwall. A success story at the moment.

Whereabouts did you possible spot a Marsh Harrier - lovely birds.

Taz x

[CLKD]

Around Wells and near Heacham.  Last year I saw 2 near Holkham Hall ………

This morning the birds are nagging for live meal worms 

[CLKD]

I have a VERY tiny critter wandering across my screen  - it's like a full stop in brown ………. hope it doesn't bite  and hope I don't squash it when I shut down to go out to do more gardening 

[Hurdity]

Thanks Taz - looks like there have been one or two sightings in this part of Devon but not when I've been about - will continue to stare out of the window at any bird of prey when driving around  . Don't often go to Dartmoor though.... but will keep a look out next time ( we usually go on Easter Sunday - family tradition!)

Hurdity x

[Dorothy]

Buzzards obviously aren't that good at judging how large an animal they can attack, as earlier this year, I saw one take a crow!  It turned into a bit of a battle, which was really horrible to see.  We have loads of buzzards round here (plus red kites) so I wonder if they are more likely to take on larger prey when the area is over-populated, leading to more competition for smaller prey animals.  Last year, one took a fox cub...only just out of the set, but still...

[CLKD]

Good point!

[CLKD]

We have a pair of blackbirds collecting live meal worms  so there must be a nest of young close by.  They are flying off to a similar area to where they had a nest last year.  Good job I ordered more meal worms for delivery 2-morrow!

Hedgehog pooh seen ……..  birds singing  ………. small tadpoles wriggling …….. beetle running across the patio 

[dazned]

Yesterday we had a firecrest in our garden first time I ever seen one ! Actually or heard of one 
Dh was going look look a firecrest so after I'd seen it with my own eyes I suruptiously looked it up on Google ......he was right,thought he was making it up ! 

[Taz2]

Lucky you dazned. Are you in the South East?  We have Goldcrests here in the south but I don't think that the Firecrest gets this far west. Did it have the white eye stripe?

Taz x

[dazned]

Yes we are in south east. Yes it did at first I thought it was a gold finch because we have flocks of those but no it was a firecrest,quite tiny like a wren.

[Taz2]

I wondered if it could have been a Goldcrest - not a Goldfinch - as they are similar to the Firecrest but without the distinctive white eye stripe and a little bit smaller. Such a lovely thing to see. 

Taz x