WHIMBREL
A lifelong Naturalist...
I'm posting this photograph of a 'White' Red Kite, I took it earlier this week at the Red Kite Feeding Station at Gigrin Farm, near Rhayader, in Mid Wales.
These incredible birds have through the years attained a mythical status in Wales my homeland, when I was growing up (a long time back now!) we could only dream of actually seeing a Red Kite they were that scarce, but over the years rumour persisted that a 'White' Red Kite existed in the secluded hidden valleys of Mid Wales. You can therefore only imagine my delight as a life long naturalist to actually see (and photograph one) in the flesh.
As a Welshman I am fiercely protective, and hugely proud of our national Welsh bird, and I applaud the efforts of the Powell family and the wonderful work they and the Welsh Kite Trust have done to preserve and safeguard our living national treasures. The Gigrin Kites are 'real' native Welsh Kites, not introductions from continental stock, such as those that occur in other parts of the British Isles.
You may just make out the wing tags on this beautiful bird, the left wing has a black tag showing it's region of hatch was Wales, while the right wing has either a red tag meaning a 2003 hatch or possibly orange 2005 (my eyes are not that sure!!)...what do you think?
I was informed by a local birder (another Bird Forumer) that over the years, and since their numbers have increased several birds have inherited the white gene traits that this bird shows. However I'm also informed that the other Red Kites don't seem to tolerate it that well. My own observations seemed to indicate that the bird stay's on the periphery of the feeding area, only making brief forays for food, and totally disappearing for long periods, such behavior makes getting a good photograph a bit of a task or luck, however this image is a reasonable record shot.
Please visit the Welsh Kite Trust's website or the excellent Gigrin Farm, Red Kite Feeding and Rehabilitation Centre to find out more about our Welsh national bird.
Hoping you'll all enjoy this superb bird.
Bill
These incredible birds have through the years attained a mythical status in Wales my homeland, when I was growing up (a long time back now!) we could only dream of actually seeing a Red Kite they were that scarce, but over the years rumour persisted that a 'White' Red Kite existed in the secluded hidden valleys of Mid Wales. You can therefore only imagine my delight as a life long naturalist to actually see (and photograph one) in the flesh.
As a Welshman I am fiercely protective, and hugely proud of our national Welsh bird, and I applaud the efforts of the Powell family and the wonderful work they and the Welsh Kite Trust have done to preserve and safeguard our living national treasures. The Gigrin Kites are 'real' native Welsh Kites, not introductions from continental stock, such as those that occur in other parts of the British Isles.
You may just make out the wing tags on this beautiful bird, the left wing has a black tag showing it's region of hatch was Wales, while the right wing has either a red tag meaning a 2003 hatch or possibly orange 2005 (my eyes are not that sure!!)...what do you think?
I was informed by a local birder (another Bird Forumer) that over the years, and since their numbers have increased several birds have inherited the white gene traits that this bird shows. However I'm also informed that the other Red Kites don't seem to tolerate it that well. My own observations seemed to indicate that the bird stay's on the periphery of the feeding area, only making brief forays for food, and totally disappearing for long periods, such behavior makes getting a good photograph a bit of a task or luck, however this image is a reasonable record shot.
Please visit the Welsh Kite Trust's website or the excellent Gigrin Farm, Red Kite Feeding and Rehabilitation Centre to find out more about our Welsh national bird.
Hoping you'll all enjoy this superb bird.
Bill
