Red kites delay laying due to late spring

RED kites are a common sight in this area but they have been feeling the effects of the late spring.

The birds are normally sitting on eggs by early April but this year it seems they started laying their eggs about 10 days later than usual and some are still yet to do so.

Last year was a poor breeding year for the birds, so experts are hoping this delayed start won’t have an adverse effect. Red kites tend to use the same nests year after year but will sometimes move to a new site if a nest has been unsuccessful. Hence many of the birds whose nests failed in last year’s wet weather may have changed location this year.

If you’ve seen a nest but aren’t sure if it belongs to a red kite, a new page on the website of the Chilterns Conservation Board has been set up to help. There is information on how to recognise a nest and spot the breeding behaviour of the birds.

The board is also interested in hearing about any birds seen with coloured plastic wing tags, which confirms their identity, or any that are found dead.

Reports of red kite nests can be made via the Southern England Kite Group at www.sekg.org.uk