Bat update

 

Just wanted to say thanks to everybody who took the time to comment on our recent bat pics. The votes are in and after much deliberation it looks like the pipistrelles have it. Having looked back through the remaining photos we thought we'd feature a few more of them in these composites. Thanks again.

L & A

Harewood

Out today at Harewood on a beautiful day roadtesting my new camera.  Was expecting lots of red kites - which there were - but came across this lovely buzzard too.  Nice to see one quite close to see the markings on the underwing and to see how different it looks in the air from the kites.

Saw a movement out of the corner of my eye and thought it was a long tailed tit - to my amazement it was a bat - a pipistrelle, I think. It was 2.30 in the afternoon and really bright sunshine. It was flapping around near a stream for a few minutes and then disappeared. I saw it again further up the track, this time being chased by a red kite. Thankfully the kite was not agile enough and the bat escaped...

And I couldn't come back from Harewood without at least one red kite picture, so here it is!

Red Kites

Out to Weardley/Harewood on Monday to stretch our legs and enjoy yet another fine Red Kite display. Just what you need to blow the cobwebs away. At one point 10 Red Kites were in the air in front of us. You can read the latest on the Harewood Red Kite project in the Yorkshire Red Kite newsletter.

It wasn't until I downloaded these shots that I realised that this one is clearly tagged Yorkshire '17', which Ive reported.



You can just about make out six Red Kites in this shot.

What Kitey Did Next

Took a trip to Harewood to observe the Red Kites. They're huge birds, with a wingspan of 1.5m, a distinctive deeply forked tail, and are fascinating to watch. The Yorkshire Red Kite Project started at the Harewood Estate, 1999 - 2003, over which time 68 birds were released resulting in a total of over 400 young raised in Yorkshire.

More info about the Yorkshire Red Kites:

• Yorkshire Red Kites
• Red Kites in Yorkshire
• RSPB - Red Kite
• Eccup Reservoir Map -Yorkshire Water

Between us we managed to get a few good pics, here you go.

Ive included the following 3 blurred pics because they tag is visible on the left wing (it looks reddish to me). Ive seen a list of tag colours somewhere that indicate when & where a bird was released so I'll check & get back with more info.

And just to show that its not all about the big birds, a Treecreeper on a conifer.

I'm especially interested in the Red Kites because a similar programme in the North East has led to everyday sightings around Rowlands Gill, where I grew up. My Auntie Ann & Uncle Lon regularly watch the Red Kites from their front room. And to top that, the local bus is now emblazoned with the Red Kite.