On the Wildside: This is a great time to be looking for buzzards, kites and sparrowhawks
Late winter into spring is a good time to watch for birds of prey because they are often busily establishing or defending territories. For species like the medium-sized sparrowhawks, to the larger birds of prey like common buzzards or red kites, this often involves circling high up in the sky over would-be breeding sites such as local woodlands.
These birds may be quite noisy especially in the case of common buzzards which make a far-carrying, loud mewing call often heard at distance. The red kite on the other hand make a repeated ‘he-he-heea’ cry, also written as ‘peee-eooo-eooo’. These calls are especially striking when the birds congregate.
Indeed, although kites are territorial and monogamous in springtime, and having a long-term pair-bond, they return to the same nest site year on year, at other times they are highly sociable. They will frequently form small flocks, and in winter, even gathering at large, noisy communal roosts. They will forage for food together, exhibit spectacular, play-like, aerial chasing which probably enhances social bonds, and overall, are much more social than other birds of prey.
These communal roosts can be made up of groups with several dozen birds, and in extreme cases, up to hundreds of individuals assembled at favoured locations. Across our region, the numbers are still relatively low although nationally, they have, as the RSPB has said, ‘soared’.
Nevertheless, whilst the numbers seen across South Yorkshire, North Derbyshire, and North Nottinghamshire are still not like those around major reintroduction sites like Wetherby (north of Leeds), or along the M42 or M40 motorway corridors, they are steadily growing. There are increasingly rumours of sizeable communal roosts in small blocks of rural woodlands as a consequence.
All-in-all, this means now is a good time to watch for one of our most spectacular birds as photographed by Sheffield’s Peter Gribbon as it passed over his caravan on the Lincolnshire coast. I am very grateful for his permission to use it! But returning to my theme, this is a great time to be looking for buzzards, kites, and sparrowhawks. Do let me know.
Professor Ian D. Rotherham, researcher, writer & broadcaster on wildlife & environmental issues, is contactable on [email protected]; follow Ian’s blog (https://ianswalkonthewildside.wordpress.com/) and Twitter @IanThewildside