Blog

Wednesday, 30 September 2009

Tweety Pie latest

Aviemore primary school have named their adoptive kite Tweety Pie.  They'll be posting up a piece soon on how they agreed upon this cartoon inspired moniker, in the meantime here's a summary of where our former kite 'A' has been...

Well 'TP' has been sticking to the black isle area mainly paying visits to Beauly, Muir of Ord and the Newton of Ferintosh localities.  She's been spending a bit of time also on the Brahan Estate and even across the road in the Tollie area which is interesting as this is very close to where we are developing the Tollie Red Kite feeding and viewing centre in conjunction with Brahan.  We're hoping for this to be open early next year so 'stay tuned' as it were for updates on this.  Juvenile birds such as Tweety Pie will be beginning to find company at traditional winter roosting sites which tend to attract a large proportion of young birds.  These are very important social gatherings particularly for the younger more inexperienced kites which often spend daylight hours together leading each other to sources of food.  Its highly possible they'll be attracted to the feeding centre relatively quickly and this information is bound to spread rapidly between members of a roost.  Hopefully we'll get plenty of these stunning birds in and you'll get fantastic close-up views!  We'll be able to spot all the satellite tagged birds by looking at their individual wing tags.  Tweety Pie has the standard blue left and pink right wing tag which is common amongst all North Scotland chicks that fledged their nests late summer of this year.  In addition Tweety Pie has a lower case 's' on both tags - pretty sure this doesnt stand for sylvester!  Keep an eye out for Tweety and her wing tags if youre on the Brahan Estate or surrounding areas - any reports greatly welcomed as it's great to add live sightings to the remote sat tag data.

Wednesday, 30 September 2009

a wee note..

Friday, 25 September 2009

Sad news for Dingwall

Regrettably we have some sad news to tell of Hector, the male kite adopted by Mrs Jamieson's p7 class at Dingwall Primary.  On Monday morning (21st) we received a call from a member of the public travelling along the A835 who had spotted the body of a red kite lying by the roadside just outside the village of Contin.  This sharp spotted driver very kindly brought the bird into the office that afternoon.  We could see it was one of the birds involved in this project as it had a satellite tag on its back but we could conclude even further from the coloured and uniquely patterned wing tags on the bird.  Blue left wing tag, pink right tells us this kite fledged on the black isle (blue) in the year 2009 (pink).  Hector also had a unique red and white battenburg cake design in a square on each of his wing tags.  Obviously the death of a rare and important red kite is a very serious matter as in most cases, especially up here in North Scotland, death by illegal poisoning has been proven to be a very real and dangerous threat to these scavenging birds.  Hector was taken to the Scottish Agricultural College in Inverness to be given a post mortem by wildlife vet Andrew Brownlow.  Although initial examinations of Hector coupled with the location in which he was found seemed to point to his demise as being a tragic road accident it was important we had this decided by an expert.  The post mortem report came through on the Wednesday and confirmed that Hectors death was as a result of injuries relating to a sudden impact with most probably a car or lorry in this case.  Red kites are often seen circling roads on the lookout for an easy meal in the form of roadkill and with a continuing rise in the amount of traffic on our roads this problem is one that will keep increasing for red kites.  The main victims of this tend to be younger more inexperienced juveniles who are perhaps not as wary of the traffic as the more agile adults tend to be.    Hector first began making significant moves away from his parents nest territory back on the 1st of August and at that point would have been around the age of 12 weeks old.  While red kites have the potential to be very long-lived birds (usually into their teenage years - the oldest known wild red kite was thought to have reached the age of 26 years!) unfortunately, as this recent episode has highlighted, they face a new set of dangers every day including the risk of being poisoned, collisions with cars and other objects and electrocutions with powerlines.  What also makes this incident extremely unfortunate was the fact that Hector was a very healthy bird during his 4 and a half months of life and this was proven by his good weight and also from the happy wanderings we've seen him take around the Brahan, Marybank and CononBridge areas.  Infact the last position we received from Hector from the sat tags before he was handed in to us on Monday was from 5pm on the Saturday before during which he had spent the day roaming around Lochussie before perhaps settling for the night close to Muirton Mains.

The pupils who adopted Hector are understandably upset about what happened but were also brave and accepting that it was an accident, one that faces red kites unfortunately every day of their lives.  Mrs Jamiesons class have put a lot of work into this project including sacrifycing a corner of their busy school as a 'kite corner' aswell as making up a presentation about Hector and the red kites of the black isle to show and explain to the rest of the school.  As a tribute to Hector the class have also helped to make a life size red kite and have drawn, cut-out and stuck their handprints to this kite using different colours of paper to replicate the kites beautiful plumage.  We will continue to work with the class and this includes allowing them another chance to adopt a red kite that was fitted with a sat tag around the same time as Hector but has yet to be championed by a school.  We'll bring you news of the kite in another week or two.

Friday, 18 September 2009

Hector

Megan Macleod, Cara Wilson and Martin Keyes from Dingwall Primary told us how they came up with a name for kite G:

“We named Hector after the Hector MacDonald monument. We chose it because we wanted something related to Dingwall and the Hector MacDonald is very visible and well known in Dingwall. We all chose a name in our pairs and we came up with names like Scavvie, Swoopy and Jet Fly. But we could only vote for three which in the end were Hector, Swoopster & Red G because they were more appropriate. In the end Hector had the most votes by miles.”

Friday, 18 September 2009

Phoenix

Daviot Primary pupils have chosen to name their kite F, Phoenix. 

"The reason we chose the name Phoenix is because the red kite was extinct throughout the whole of Scotland by the end of the 1800's then was reintroduced to the black isle from Sweden in 1989.  Like the mythical bird it has come alive again.  Also the red kite is beautiful like the phoenix."

Written by Isobel and Connor (p7)

Tuesday, 15 September 2009

some map news..

Some of you will have seen that we havent had any map updates on kite positions of late!  Infact no September positions as yet.  This is due to a slight glitch in in the uploading of the data onto the website.  Rest assured we have heard from all of the adopted kites since the end of August and they are all happy and healthy!  After his release on Friday, we received our first batch of fresh data from kite C or should I say Red Arrow and am pleased to say he's moving around the black isle quite the thing, exploring the fields to the W of Jemimaville.  We hope to be able to show you his latest movements along with news of the others in the next day or two.

Tuesday, 15 September 2009

A kite called Red Arrow

The following was written by Harry and Hollie of p6/7 Beauly Primary School:

"We have decided a name for our Red Kite. We have called it Red Arrow as it travelled the furthest. We were very sad when we heard about Red Arrows accident. We are all hoping Red Arrow will get better soon and will hopefully be out and about in no time! We were also pleased that Red Arrow was making his way to Beauly but did not get here."

Friday, 11 September 2009

The return of C - and he's got a new name!

Yes, C was picked up this morning from Laurence's house in New Deer, Im glad to say looking far feistier than he did this time last week.  Bit of a long journey for him in a rather bashed and undignified cardboard box back to the black isle but he was raring to go.  After the obligatory photo call C was carefully placed on the green grass of home just after 3pm this afternoon from where he took off quite the thing on outstretched wings shortly before landing on a branch of a nearby pine from where he most probably took stock of his recent incarceration!  Many thanks go out to Laurence for looking after C and feeding him up with a steady supply of rabbit over the past week.  C's sat tag will be running extremely low on battery but over the next few days and with some more light we should start picking up on his movements again.

The teacher of p7 Beauly Primary, Mrs Miller and her class were horrified to hear of C's brush with death last week but are glad he's on the mend and will be pleased to hear his release today went well.  They've also come up with a suitable name for their kite - Red arrow.  They've obviously been inspired at how acrobatic red kites are, true masters of the sky! 

Thursday, 10 September 2009

I and J's mingle in the bay

Thursday, 10 September 2009

C's convalescence

We spoke to Laurence the vet yesterday who gave us the good news that kite C appears to have dried out, is on the mend and eating really well - apparently having a great old time of it being catered to in the company of a grey heron, female sparrowhawk aswell as a host of other wild animals!  Laurence seemed quite optimistic that he would be ready for release as long as there was a good spell of weather forecast.  The last thing we would want is a repeat of what happened during all the wet weather as C is bound to be a bit weaker than normal without all his daily exercise.  With drier forecasts predicted, we're keen to get C back up in the air where he belongs so the plan is to go across to New Deer and pick him up tomorrow then try releasing him back to his black isle heartland.  Fingers crossed he'll take to the skies this time around and we'll bring you news on how this release goes.  The children of p7 Beauly Primary school have been informed of all the drama and Im sure are keen to bring C home so they can continue to watch his movements on the map.

Sunday, 6 September 2009

Meanwhile, a happier H in Munlochy bay

While C rests, the last kite that made the news was H when he crashed into a pheasant pen on the south side of the black isle.  This was another very lucky bird who didnt appear to sustain any injuries in his accident and was very relieved and eager to be released after spending the night in a cell at the local SSPCA. 

Our last position from H was at midday on the 29th August on the north side of Munlochy bay.  Really not a huge amount to report on H's activities as he's been sticking to this area (currently on the map he's hiding behind kite I - we're hoping to get separate maps composed to make it easier to distinguish between the trails of all 10 kites!).  H has spent most days between 12th and 29th August on the south side of Munlochy bay appearing to stick to a favoured woodland most afternoons.  He has also latterly been making regular trips to farmland north of the Kilmuir area.  In total there are 4 sat tagged kites hanging around the Mun bay area and they're bound to have crossed paths along their travels.  These are very gregarious birds and it could be that they end up spending a large part of the winter roosting together in traditional sites in both coniferous and broadleaved woodlands.  These roosts are often dominated with youngsters and can end up being a good opportunity to meet potential mates.  Both I and H are males while B and J are females - could be quite exciting if any of them pair up!  But perhaps they're still too young and need to get rid of their wanderlust first.  We'll let you know if any one of these kites begin moving out of this area.

Sunday, 6 September 2009

Grounded kite, floods and a trip to the vets!

Apologies for the delay in this posting.  Friday ended up being a pretty eventful day!  Last Thursday kite C was found by the side of a minor road leading off the A833 Beauly to Drumnadrochit road.  It was taken to nearby Beaufort Castle by a farmer where Brian went to collect it.  After a night of recuperation in Brian's garden shed and another checkover in the morning we attempted to release C back into familiar land on the black isle.  Unfortunately, C didnt quite take off and appeared to be dragging his right wing behind him as he  hopped on the ground.  It was decided some specialist help was required and a vet who often deals with injured birds of prey, Lawrence Brain was contacted last Friday afternoon.  Lawrence has dealt with red kites before more recently with the RSPB's Aberdeen red kite project.   It was decided that we would whisk C over to Lawrence for some TLC and to make sure there wasnt a hidden injury which meant the kite was unable to fly.

Quite a journey away from the black isle for C but so far he has proved to be our most intrepid kite - C was a familiar sight to you all down in the Kingussie/Newtonmore area until recently relocating back to the Beauly area.  Contending with closed roads from all the flooding in Moray at the end of last week we finally managed to transfer C safely to the vet over in New Deer last Friday evening via a rather long and convoluted journey!  There was a lovingly prepared meal of rabbit awaiting C at the surgery.  Lawrence once again felt along each wing and confirmed that there were no broken bones which is great news for C.  He is in very capable hands and we hope to hear from Lawrence mid-week when he will give us an update on C's progress.  He'll understandably be a bit weaker than normal and its quite crucial that we release him during a spell of better weather.

So just what happened to C?  We'll never know for sure.  The location he was picked up in was quite suspicious - by the side of a road which also had a power line running across it.  Add to that the torrential rains this area experienced during the latter half of last week.  C may have been weighed down with rainwater if he was out for too long and this may have affected his flying ability causing him to clip either the power line or perhaps even a car ultimately rendering him a crumpled and soggy little heap on the roadside.  A very lucky bird indeed.  We hope all the other kites are doing ok particularly over the spell of bad weather.  Unfortunately we havent had a regular flow of data from the sat tags over the past week - this may be due to the fact that many of the kites are huddled up under trees or overcast skies might be hampering the flow of light to these solar powered gadgets.

Hopefully we'll be able to bring you news on them all tomorrow!

Thursday, 3 September 2009

Kite C down!

After kite H's brush with danger following an unfortunate fall into a pheasant pen on the black isle a few weeks ago, we had hoped we wouldnt have to see any of the other tagged kites up close and personal - lovely as they are - far better to have the piece of mind knowing they are busy exploring and visiting different areas!  Unfortunately Brian took a call today from a farmer around the Beaufort castle area south of Beauly (very apt seeing as C is Beauly Primary School's kite) with the news that he had spotted a rather bedraggled looking kite on a roadside grass verge (possibly the A833 Beauly to Drumnadrochit road but more details to follow!).  Fortunately C is still alive allbeit rather soaked and too heavy with rain to be able to lift off the ground.  We were able to tell this kite was C due to his wing tags - left blue, right pink with a letter "g" written on both.  Sat tag still intact and it will be interesting to see the data we get from this possibly tomorrow lunchtime...

..with all the bad weather over the past couple of days we haven't received any tag data through since Monday, so no movement updates for any of the kites since then.  During downpours, kites like many birds will usually prefer to wait it out under the dense canopy of a tall tree rather than risk becoming waterlogged and hunting unsuccessfully in far reduced visibility.  The last position we got from C was on Saturday at 4pm indicating he was over farmland around Balvaird to the north of Muir of Ord.  By looking back at the data we are due, assuming it is complete, it should be possible to determine how long kite C had been on the verge for.  Brian picked up C this afternoon and initial inspections indicate no bones have been broken.  As well as the risk of feathers becoming inefficient for flying in this damp weather and the danger of chills due to loss of waterproofing ability we have to take into account the location where C was found.  It is possible that C was clipped by a car either during an inspection of roadkill or clumsy flying due to the added weight of soaked feathers.   We are of course very grateful to the farmer for contacting us quickly and assisting us in locating the bird.  Fingers crossed for C and hopefully after a recovery at Brian's it should be fit for release tomorrow.  An update on C will be posted in the morning.

Wednesday, 2 September 2009

Gallivanting with G...

Like many of the other tagged kites, kite G appears to be hanging around a preferred location, taking short distance day, sometimes overnight, exploratory trips into the surrounding countryside.  G has mainly been enjoying the landscape around Muirton Mains close to Marybank, just off the western fringes of the black isle.  A selection of some of G’s typical days now follow: On the 15^th August, G was recorded at 10am in the Muirton mains area; by 12pm had moved to the west of Loch Ussie; 2pm had progressed to the west of Fodderty then was recorded at 4pm just past Fodderty.  At 8am on the 16^th, G was recorded back at Muirton mains.  On the 22^nd of August at 8am, G was recorded to the west of Muirton mains on the north shore of Loch Achonachie; 10am was recorded slightly to the east of Contin; 12pm located over farmland just to the west of Marybank; 2pm was back at Muirton mains; 4pm was to be found over the Brahan estate then by 6pm was back again at Muirton mains.  On the 24^th G made another trip onto the Brahan estate at 8am; was recorded south east past Muir of Ord almost reaching Garguston at 10am; by 12pm had moved to the west of Muir of Ord and at 2pm was back over towards Urray.  Our last position from G was at 6pm on the 31^st indicating he was over farmland, possibly keeping a keen eye out for carrion, just to the west of Urray.

Tuesday, 1 September 2009

F's flights of fancy

Between the 12^th and 21^st August, kite F had remained faithful to the black isle area spending the majority of his time close to Culbokie and its surroundings.  We did get information from the tag that F moved to the Munlochy bay area on the 21^st and was recorded over a ploughed field near to the south side of the bay at midday.  Red kites will often take advantage of the activities of farmers and one particular treat for kites in recently ploughed fields are earthworms which become a lot easier to find when they're churned up to the surface in this way.  Shortly after this position we saw that F made progress to the west and the area around Bishop Kinkell before moving back in a north easterly direction past Easter Kinkell, towards Culbo where it was recorded in a patch of coniferous woodland.  It’s possible that F spent the night here after his burst of activity the previous couple of days.  Or perhaps he was limbering up for his journey south the following day via the Beauly Firth, skirting north east around Daviot, to arrive at the east of Moy by 2pm on the afternoon of the 24^th.  At 10am on the 25^th we received a position from F indicating the kite had progressed to the south east of Moy, onto farmland close to the river Findhorn.  By 6pm the following day he had moved into a block of coniferous woodland close by.  On the 27^th, F made a couple of separate trips to the south of Moy, crossing the A9 to visit an area of moorland before settling once again into coniferous woods to the south east of Moy.  The next few days saw F settle into a routine of visiting moorland to the north east of Moy, coniferous woodland to the south east and farmland in between.  Our last position from F was on the 30^th August at 10am in the morning placing F in yet more coniferous woodland this time close to the north-west shore of Loch Moy.  By selecting the satellite option on the top right hand of the map box, you can check the type of landscape or habitat that each of the kites venture into.