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TBOSG Black Kite - Milvus migrans
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Black Kite is a medium sized bird of prey in the family Accipitridae, which also includes many other diurnal raptors such as eagles, buzzards and harriers. It is widespread throughout the temperate and tropical regions of Europe, Asia and Australasia but not found in the Indonesian archipelago. European and Asian birds are migratory moving to the tropics in winter, but races in warmer regions are resident. In the UK Black Kite occurs only as a wanderer on migration and these birds are usually of the nominate race.
Black Kites will take small live prey as well as fish, household refuse and carrion. They are attracted to fires and smoke where they seek escaping insect prey. Well adapted to living in cities they are found even in densely populated areas. Large numbers may be seen soaring in thermals over cities and in some places they will readily swoop to take to food held by humans, offered or not. Their habit of swooping to pick up dead rodents from roads often leads to them being hit by vehicles. |
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Earliest: March 18th 2010 at Severn Beach. Latest: May 26th 2009 near Marshfield Highest Count: One on two dates. |
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| There have been two Black Kite reported from S. Gloucestershire, they are; | |
| 2010: (1) |
One was seen on the salt marsh at Severn Beach around 09:55 on March 18th. It was watched by two lucky observers and was seen to leave the salt marsh being mobbed by Corvids and Buzzard drifting east over the station and Orchard Pools. |
| 2009: (1) |
A presumed adult was watched on the 26th May drifting out of St. Catherine's Valley. It was first seen around 06:00 at a height of about 25 metres over the track between Halldoor Lane and Nailey Farm at approximately ST: 776 720 south and west of Marshfield. It was last seen leaving the valley heading in a generally north-north-westerly direction towards West Littleton. This occurrence constitutes the first report of this species for S. Gloucestershire. |