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The Stunning Red Kite

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  The majestic and unmistakable Red Kite With its reddish-brown body, angled wings and deeply forked tail, the magnificent and graceful Red Kite is an unmistakable bird of prey. In the UK, it was saved from extinction by one of the world's longest-running protection programmes. It has now been successfully re-introduced to England, Wales and Scotland. However, Red Kites are still a protected species and listed under Schedule 1 of The Wildlife and Countryside Act.   Their head is pale grey and patterned with dark streaks, and they have a yellow beak with a dark hook and pale, striking eyes.  Their angular wings span 185cm. On the upper side they are red-brown at the shoulders with darker tips and edges, while underneath there are characteristic blocks of white before darker, fingered wing tips.  Red kites first breed at two years old and produce a single clutch of around three eggs. As monogamous birds, mating pairs will return to the same nests each season, addi...
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Owls, Harriers and Sea Birds from East Kent

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  From Short Eared Owls on a golf course, to Harriers on the marshes and Sea Birds on the coast, the East Kent region, is a fantastic location for wildlife! My recent trip to this location was primarily for family reasons, but of course, I don't travel anywhere without my camera and i'm always looking for an opportunity to photograph the local wildlife. I was aware that Short Eared Owls were beginning to arrive at their winter roost at a nearby golf course, but sadly 'Storm Bert' had now also arrived and was doing its best to turn the area into a windswept flood plain with snow showers! Add in the fact that these birds don't show themselves until dusk and it was clearly going to be a bit of a challenge! - I know this location quite well and knew that I would be standing in the open, with no protection against the elements, but as I was only going to be able to visit this site over a few days, I dressed as if ready for an arctic expedition, ventured out and told my w...
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