Red Kites In Fingal

Bsal

The RTE news at six had a report on the release of Red Kites at Newbridge Demesne today. Now I'll have to keep an eye out for Buzzards and Kites

Eddy Hill

Bsal wrote: »

The RTE news at six had a report on the release of Red Kites at Newbridge Demesne today. Now I'll have to keep an eye out for Buzzards and Kites

More tax payers money spent on reintroducing species with a high conservation status

monuments to human egos
or real conservation management ?

when will they reintroduce the corn bunting ?

we can't protect our dunes or raised bogs
there is f a corncrakes left in the Shannon Callows,
bird of prey being killed in Kerry and Donegal
its a joke

Traonach

Eddy Hill wrote: »

More tax payers money spent on reintroducing species with a high conservation status

monuments to human egos
or real conservation management ?

Red Kites are listed as near threatened and are decreasing across much of range. If Ireland can eventually get a stable population of Red Kites, then that would be a good conservation success.

there is f a corncrakes left in the Shannon Callows,

The reason Corncrakes are virtually extinct in the Shannon Callos is because of summer floods in the last decade. Habitat is not the problem there.

when will they reintroduce the corn bunting ?

There are huge numbers of Corn Bunting in Southern Europe. They are not threatened globally.(I would like to see Corn Bunting back in Ireland though).

LostCovey

Eddy Hill wrote: »

More tax payers money spent on reintroducing species with a high conservation status

monuments to human egos
or real conservation management ?

when will they reintroduce the corn bunting ?

we can't protect our dunes or raised bogs
there is f a corncrakes left in the Shannon Callows,
bird of prey being killed in Kerry and Donegal
its a joke

Yeah.

It's always easier to knock people who try to do something than to actually do anything constructive. Much easier sit on the ditch and fling out the usual platitudes. We are losing raised bogs and dune systems because of the number of people who moan at anyone who tries to do anything, and remain silent when morons like Ming are crowing about their ancient birthright to dig out sausage turf with track machines.

The birds of prey "being killed" in Kerry and Donegal were reintroduced birds, and did a hell of a lot to highlight an unrecognised issue, and also did a hell of a lot to reduce the problem. And they are not "being killed" either this year are they? at least not the way they were last year - there were a lot fewer poisonings this year.

So instead of slagging the the few active soldiers on boards.ie, why not join the army yourself? Divert those keyboard skills to something that contributes. The world doesn't need another critic.

Sorry for the sharp tone, its been a long day, and this attitude sickens me.


LostCovey

Birdnuts

Eddy Hill wrote: »

?

when will they reintroduce the corn bunting ?

Probably pointless ATM given the lack of habitat and modern farming methods:(

Half-cocked

LostCovey wrote: »

The birds of prey "being killed" in Kerry and Donegal were reintroduced birds, and did a hell of a lot to highlight an unrecognised issue, and also did a hell of a lot to reduce the problem. And they are not "being killed" either this year are they? at least not the way they were last year - there were a lot fewer poisonings this year.

I agree, I hate to think how many other species like buzzards were being quietly poisoned the length and breadth of the country before the poisoning of Sea Eagles and Kites highlighted the problem and something was finally done about it.

Half-cocked

LostCovey wrote: »

morons like Ming are crowing about their ancient birthright to dig out sausage turf with track machines.

Ha ha! I'm glad you pointed this one out. Some of the turf cutters try to give the impression that they are John Hind postcard style traditional types, but in fact many are running commercial automated extraction operations.

kildare.17hmr

there are2 big buzzards on land around me, i do often ly in a ditch watching them hunt, they are huge things and great to watch! There are a few hawks too not sure what they are tho but iv seen them take crows out of the sky and go after rabbits!

Iv seen a buzzard flying around ballycoolin a few times, near hutton and meade

Birdnuts

kildare.17hmr wrote: »

! There are a few hawks too not sure what they are tho but iv seen them take crows out of the sky and go after rabbits!

Thats interesting - does this bird look like a large female Sparrowhawk??:)

magicbastarder

LostCovey wrote: »

Yeah.

...

LostCovey

well said.

Birdnuts

Both the increasing UK and Irish populations of this species are becoming increasingly important for the survival of this species on a global scale as former strongholds such as Spain and France continue to undergo massive declines. The situation in the former country is particualry worrying since large numbers of German and Swedish birds winter there and are being lost too:(

kildare.17hmr

Birdnuts wrote: »

Thats interesting - does this bird look like a large female Sparrowhawk??:)

not too sure man, if ya want to come over for a shoot some weekend ya would prob see them, not too far from you i think

ThunderCat

Was thinking of heading down to Donabate this evening to see if I can see any of the Kites. Would love to see one. How likely is it that they are still in the area? Or would they have spread out in all directions by now?

Traonach

ThunderCat wrote: »

Was thinking of heading down to Donabate this evening to see if I can see any of the Kites. Would love to see one. How likely is it that they are still in the area? Or would they have spread out in all directions by now?

They will be leaving out food dumps for the birds until they are able to fend for themselves. They won't stray from the area if they know there is freely available food around. Head for the release site in Newbridge demense park.

ChrisM

They are all still very close to the release site. I was there today for a few hours and it was absolutely amazing. I even got to meet a few like minded enthusiasts. The Red Kites weren't flying for long, but the short flights were still impressive.

They are a truly wonderful bird and I hope they thrive around North Dublin, along with the Buzzards.

ThunderCat

ChrisM wrote: »

They are all still very close to the release site. I was there today for a few hours and it was absolutely amazing. I even got to meet a few like minded enthusiasts. The Red Kites weren't flying for long, but the short flights were still impressive.

They are a truly wonderful bird and I hope they thrive around North Dublin, along with the Buzzards.

I went there yesterday evening too and I had much the same experience as you. It's a nice quiet part of the park that they are located and they were never flying any higher than tree-top height. I just sat on the grass and watched them for about an hour. Terrific birds. One of the fellas I got chatting to said that 26 or so got released but I dont think I saw anymore than 6 of them. I was pleased to even see one though so seeing a few of them was brilliant. I'd say ill head back there over the weekend to see them again before they expand beyond the park. Id imagine one or two of them at least will make the park their home as there are some terrific mature trees and wooded areas there. I'd recommend anyone to pop along and see them. Nows the ideal time.

Bsal

On the news report they said 12 where being released, can't wait to head out and see them myself.

Birdnuts

Bsal wrote: »

On the news report they said 12 where being released, can't wait to head out and see them myself.

Yep - great to have such a stunning bird back in Dublin, one that our Viking and Norman ancestors would have been very familiar with around the city:)

hidinginthebush

How big would they be compared to, oh I don't know, a seagull, for example? Just curious to what size they are, the ~180cm wingspan sounds like they'd be big :eek:

ThunderCat

hidinginthebush wrote: »

How big would they be compared to, oh I don't know, a seagull, for example? Just curious to what size they are, the ~180cm wingspan sounds like they'd be big :eek:

From seeing them yesterday, id say you are talking roughly the size of a buzzard.

Birdnuts

hidinginthebush wrote: »

How big would they be compared to, oh I don't know, a seagull, for example? Just curious to what size they are, the ~180cm wingspan sounds like they'd be big :eek:

Slightly bigger then a buzzard - they are the nearest thing we have to vultures and fullfill a usefull role in other countries by cleaning up dead carcasses, including road-kill.

Because they are built for scavanging as opposed to active hunting, they have a very light frame that is all wing and tail - this means an adult Kite only weights on averge a mere 2 pounds!!

1squidge

I was out there today and was surprised about how many kites I saw. I originally thought there were only a pair released only to be told there were 26 although I think it was only 12 released with further releases planned.

Anyway what a beautiful bird which really does live up to its name Red kite. I got to see 6 at one time although talking too another person and he was there this morning and saw 12 of them displaying. Surely an excellent reintroduction considering it was man that got rid of them oin the first place.

whyulittle

hmmmmm, I wonder did they really see all 26!

http://www.irishbirding.com/birds/web/Display/sighting/35411/Red_Kite.html
http://www.irishbirding.com/birds/web/Display/sighting/35396/Red_Kite.html
http://www.irishbirding.com/birds/web/Display/sighting/35391/Red_Kite.html

ChrisM

I was so excited seeing 4 of them at once to be honest it felt like 26:)

I think I saw A0, A3, A5 and A9, I could be wrong though as my binoculars and eyesight wouldn't be the best?

Whether they saw 26 or not they are fantastic shots, thanks for sharing.

Bsal

I went out to Newbridge this afternoon to see the Red Kites, 8 was the max I seen at any one time. Very impressive birds and they come quite close over your head too.

Bsal

I was out in Turvey nature reserve today and seen one Red Kite, so they seem to be moving out of Newbridge now. Also in Newbridge by the river I seen my first ever Kingfisher today.