12 June 2009

In Devon Birds (Vol. 62 No.1), Mark Darlaston reported on Red Kite influxes and wing-tagged codes. Here, he gives an update on the influxes in both 2008 and 2009.

In addition to the increasing pattern of Red Kite sightings reported in the Devon Birds article, yet another influx happened in 2008. In this year, the influx occurred earlier than in previous years, with birds arriving from March, although May was again the best month. As with previous influxes, high pressure stimulated this movement.

2009 appears to have produced another significant movement into the county. Although single birds were seen through April, periods of high pressure in early May, with brisk easterly winds, resulted in some multiple sightings in what must be the best month recorded to date.

Highlights were an amazing seven together over southeast Dartmoor on 10 May, and four birds through at Dawlish Warren on 25 May, while a day later there were four at Exminster Marshes and sightings from another four sites.

Incidentally, there was one colour code missing for 2009 from the table in Devon Birds – a pink tag on the right wing.

Mark Darlaston

Red Kite – Tarka Trail, North Devon – © Roy Churchill – 10 June 2006