Red Kite

Birdnuts

Monkaa wrote: »

hi guys, my other half and I are heading down to Avoca this weekend, and we were wondering can anyone give us any information on spotting the red kites this time of year? I hear they gather to roost in the evening..anyone have any idea where abouts and what time of the day is best to see these birds. Thanks

Its generally not a good idea to give specific locations for raptor roost sites on public forums for obvious reasons. However Red Kites in and around Avoca can be seen regulary from any part of the village or the main road through the valley, so you've a good chance of seeing them at any time of day.

Monkaa

Ive seen one before for a few seconds when I was driving through the village & ended up staying there for hours in the hope to see more but unfortunately didnt see another so was hoping for a bit more luck this time. If anyone would like to pm me any information feel free

cuddlycavies

A half mile from the town on the Arklow road is a ruined church on the right. Immediately opposite is a panoramic view of the wooded river valley. Up to seven kites can be seen daily riding the wind thermals above. Maybe drive to Avoca via Redcross. keep an eye out along the road. You'll see them.

Monkaa

cuddlycavies wrote: »

A half mile from the town on the Arklow road is a ruined church on the right. Immediately opposite is a panoramic view of the wooded river valley. Up to seven kites can be seen daily riding the wind thermals above. Maybe drive to Avoca via Redcross. keep an eye out along the road. You'll see them.

Thank you very much ill give that area a go!

snowstreams

Just remember that if the weather isnt good the red kites wont be flying around as much. So that might have an effect too.
If I want to see them I just go to Avoca, and drive around the backroads nearby, maybe 3miles away.
If its a sunny calm afternoon you are bound to see quite a few gliding over the fields.
If Cuddlycavies suggestion doesnt work, you could always try driving around the back roads.

Monkaa

yeh if the weather is bad we'll postpone our visit by a week or two thanks

whyulittle

29 Wicklow pairs produce 29 chicks in 2013.

http://www.goldeneagle.ie/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=825%3Ab3-flies-free-again-in-co-dublin&Itemid=156

Birdnuts

I saw a yellow tagged bird near Rathcoole a few days ago. What year are the Yellow Tags??

Capercaille

The RSPB is appealing for information after the death of another red kite in Northern Ireland.

The bird was discovered in the Castlewellan area last Wednesday (14 August) and is the fourth that has been found dead this year.

The conservation charity is asking the public for help in uncovering the cause of the deaths, which represent 30 per cent of the breeding red kite population in the province.

The body of the bird that died last week has been submitted to the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute for a post-mortem. However it is strongly suspected that it, and the other birds, fell victim to poison.

Adam McClure, Red Kite Officer for the RSPB, said all birds of prey are protected under the law, but unfortunately this doesn’t always mean that they are safe from poison.

“In some cases, they are deliberately targeted as some people incorrectly see them as a threat to livestock or game birds," he said. "They may also ingest the poison by eating dead mice or rats that have been killed by rodenticides.

“We do not know for certain what caused the deaths of these four birds as yet and are eagerly awaiting the post-mortem results dating back as far as January. However we suspect that they did not die of natural causes.”

Red kites were once common in Ireland but were persecuted to extinction in the 18th century. In 2008 the RSPB, along with project partners the Golden Eagle Trust and Welsh Kite Trust, began a reintroduction project that has been successful in encouraging the birds to breed here.

They have since become a rare, but welcome, sighting over the skies of County Down.

However, with only 10 breeding pairs, every death is a blow and may have serious consequences for the fragile population here in Northern Ireland.

Of the four deceased animals, two were breeding males, one was a breeding female and one was a juvenile. Sadly, the female was found dead in the nest where she was incubating two eggs, meaning the chicks inside also perished.

“Alongside landowners in south Down, project partners, the Golden Eagle Trust and Welsh Kite Trust, our funders NIE and RES and local councils Newry and Mourne, Down and Banbridge through Ulster Wildlife Landfill funding, we have worked hard to create a home for red kites in Northern Ireland over the last five years so it is disappointing when we lose any of them, even more so in circumstances like this,” Adam concluded.

Emma Meredith, PSNI wildlife liaison officer, added: “Police take wildlife crime seriously and if it is found that there is a breach in the legislation then they will investigate.

“Currently police have requested tests on the birds reported to identify the cause of death.

“Anyone who suspects a crime and/or has information about the deaths of the birds is asked to contact the Police Service of Northern Ireland on 0845 600 8000 or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

4 Red kites likely poisoned in Northern Ireland:(

dodderangler

Birdnuts wrote: »

I saw a yellow tagged bird near Rathcoole a few days ago. What year are the Yellow Tags??

Really??
I do good bit of shooting up there and I Havint seen one yet and I've a good eye for bops up that I area. I know where there's a nesting pair of birds every year and the territory they have and a big female spar that's been there about 2 years though I can never get picture of her. Only see her before she disappears into forestry.
Il defo keep my eye out for kite. There's a good bit of mixxy floating around the rabbits up there so il prob see her scavenging

Birdnuts

dodderangler wrote: »

Really??
I do good bit of shooting up there and I Havint seen one yet and I've a good eye for bops up that I area. I know where there's a nesting pair of birds every year and the territory they have and a big female spar that's been there about 2 years though I can never get picture of her. Only see her before she disappears into forestry.
Il defo keep my eye out for kite. There's a good bit of mixxy floating around the rabbits up there so il prob see her scavenging

It was flying over the M7 towards Newcastle. I found out last night that the yellow tag indicates a bird born in 2013.

OpenYourEyes

Another Red Kite poisoning :mad::mad::mad: A proper poisoning too, not an accidental seconday rodenticide one!

http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/poisoned-red-kite-found-dead-in-water-supply-607517.html

Bsal

:mad::mad: