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Thursday, 25 February 2010

This week's latest

Just a quick update now on the movements of most of our tagged kites since Saturday.  Tweety Pie (Aviemore) has largely centred her travels close to Fairburn in Ross-shire with small excursions nearby in the Contin and Jamestown areas... similarly we received a couple of positions on Red Arrow (Beauly) who appeared to be in much the same area zipping between Contin and Muirton mains and we actually have a live sighting of this male dated Sunday 21st February close to Fairburn with his mother and father thought to be in close proximity!... Ruby (Carrbridge) has been making wider movements of late starting nearby to the previous two close to Contin between the 16-18th February, moving East to the Drumsmittal and North Kessock areas then landing back West of Muir of Ord on the 22nd Feb..   Swooper Trooper (Culbokie) revisited the Strathrusdale area on the 15th before winding back close to Contin between the 16-19th Feb then exploring the Brahan Estate, Culbokie before landing back near Contin on the 22nd..  rounding up, Phoenix (Daviot), Lewis (Farr) and Spey (Grantown) spent between the 15-22nd in much the same area, right on the Black Isle skirting between Drumsmittal and Munlochy bay.

We are still awaiting news of Red Rocket (Merkinch) and Heather (Dingwall - but not on map!). 

Of the kites we know about it appears there are two quite distinct camps forming, one centred around the Fairburn/Contin area and the other between Drumsmittal and Munlochy Bay.  Juveniles often seek each other out particularly during the winter months and the formation of such bonds can be crucial in all sorts of ways - finding food together, indulging in play to strengthen life important skills and of course perfecting courtship for the future.  Whilst many adult pairs are beginning to move away from communal winter roosts and onto traditional nest sites, this sort of mature behaviour couldnt be further from the minds of these youngsters who will remain fairly 'talon-loose and fancy free' for the time being!