Red Kite

[tarbat]

Got a webpage for kites or sea eagles Chris? .Also looking for info on Snowy owls on shetlands

Our local red kite centre is at Tollie - http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/t/tollieredkites/index.aspx  Although they can often be seen on the road past RAF Tain, alongside Tornados!!

Best place we know for sea eagles is over at Portree, although they have been seen recently on the Moray coast as well.

As for birds in the garden, our local garden birds regularly get taken by sparrowhawks and we also see waders (red shanks mainly) being taken by a Peregrine.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tarbat/6973353208/sizes/o/in/photostream/

Probably our rarest visitor

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tarbat/4225458802/sizes/o/in/photostream/

EDIT: Also meant to mention the osprey nest we monitor locally.  No chicks last year, due to a nasty storm in the summer, but we're hopeful this year.  They can be seen fishing at the Nigg Bay bird hide - where you'll often find me as well!!

[shakysen]

Cheers Chris. Will take a tour of the site. RSPB & British trust for ornithology member of many years standing

                                                                           Billko

[Anmer]

We've been monitoring the return of our house martins for about 6 years and they usually appear around 17th April give or take a day.

Spotted them this year on the 22nd but only two.  Either the main flight is late or many haven't made it?  I hope they're just late.

They make a mess but they're fun to watch and hear their chatter.

[shakysen]

 Hi all. Spurn points B.T.O.not reported seeing any summer visitors yet..Hoping we have some Hen-harriers nesting this year at Blacktoff.


                                                                               Billko

[IanH]

Watched one take an age to placate a Starling which it then ate alive.

Last year we had a sparrowhawk take a blackbird. And then pluck it while still alive and start eating it. After an hour or so, it flew off with the remainder of the carcase.