Free lodgings but provide own food. Light and noise pollution.

BIG N · Post by **BIG N** » Thu 26 Apr, 2012 2:28 am

Thats good Book - they would have been there for a couple of weeks now and when I last saw them they were a good, healthy looking size ( as if I know what I'm talking about lol ) so hopefully they have simply flown the nest.

uncle mick · Post by **uncle mick** » Sun 21 Apr, 2013 12:19 pm

Is this new or recycled ??http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/n ... -1-5597045

Leodian · Post by **Leodian** » Sun 21 Apr, 2013 7:52 pm

uncle mick wrote: Is this new or recycled ??http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/n ... -1-5597045 Hi uncle mickThe item is new as there is again a thrush nesting in one of the amber traffic lights just outside the exit of Leeds City Bus Station.I emailed a photograph to the YEP on April 17 2013 that I took that day, for possible use in the 'Your Picture Of The Day' feature, of an adult bird feeding a fledgling, but it is unlikely to be used as the quality was not so good which I commented on when I sent the photo and so I suggested that the YEP may wish to send a staff photographer to take photos. The YEP have kindly replied to me and said that the YEP had received calls about the bird and in response have taken photos. There was an excellent photo of an adult flying away from the nest in page 9 of the YEP of April 19.

shutthatdoor · Post by **shutthatdoor** » Sun 21 Apr, 2013 8:11 pm

At the risk of turning this thread into "Secret Twitchers", I have seen Red Kites atop lamp posts on Stanningley Road near Armley Park. I also saw the funniest comedy sketch ever whilst waiting for a bus near Redcote lane. A gang of Magpies was harassing a Crow who had a filthy old bit of birds wing in its beak. The Magpies kept nipping its tail feathers as it hopped along the grass to provoke it to turn on them. After many nips at the tail, the crow dropped the wing, turned on the Magpies and the outriders promptly stole the wing. This took about ten attempts. If you saw someone laughing like hell at the bus stop it would have been me.

Tasa · Post by **Tasa** » Sun 21 Apr, 2013 9:16 pm

Leodian, it's good to know that the nest is once more being used. The last time I saw it from the top deck of a bus a few weeks ago, it looked abandoned so I was inclined to disbelieve that the YEP story was a new one. I'm glad that your information prompted them to have a look at it!shutthatdoor, I love your post about the magpies! They are very clever. I sometimes see foxes from my window, and a couple of years ago I watched two magpies baiting a fox cub unmercifully by jumping around until it tried to pounce, then flying away and starting again from a different direction. They were having a lovely game and the fox took it so seriously!The only place I've ever seen a Red Kite was in the Isle of Man last summer - what a wonderful sight. It was just hovering in the air, then dipping and swooping around. I took some photos but they were a bit blurred as I was using a zoom lens with no tripod and trying to follow the bird's path. I believe there are quite a few Red Kites around the Harewood Estate but I've never managed to see any.

Post by **cnosni** » Sun 21 Apr, 2013 11:56 pm

Tasa wrote: Leodian, it's good to know that the nest is once more being used. The last time I saw it from the top deck of a bus a few weeks ago, it looked abandoned so I was inclined to disbelieve that the YEP story was a new one. I'm glad that your information prompted them to have a look at it!shutthatdoor, I love your post about the magpies! They are very clever. I sometimes see foxes from my window, and a couple of years ago I watched two magpies baiting a fox cub unmercifully by jumping around until it tried to pounce, then flying away and starting again from a different direction. They were having a lovely game and the fox took it so seriously!The only place I've ever seen a Red Kite was in the Isle of Man last summer - what a wonderful sight. It was just hovering in the air, then dipping and swooping around. I took some photos but they were a bit blurred as I was using a zoom lens with no tripod and trying to follow the bird's path. I believe there are quite a few Red Kites around the Harewood Estate but I've never managed to see any. Oh Tasa,go to Weardley,next to Harewood,its guaranteed you will see a Kite.By the way your pictures are of a male Kestrel,not a Red Kite.A Kestrel is much smaller than a Red Kite,and it "hovers",as in your pictures,with rapid wing beats flying into an oncoming wind whereas Red Kites "hang" in the air,soaring on warm air.Good pics though,well caught!!

Tasa · Post by **Tasa** » Mon 22 Apr, 2013 11:17 am

Thanks cnosni, I did wonder if it might be a kestrel but I'm hopeless at identifying birds and used the RSPB website, and decided on balance that it was a red kite (I didn't realise the difference between their sizes). Now I know!The next time I'm up around Harewood way I'll make a detour to Weardley and see if I can spot anything.

Post by **cnosni** » Mon 22 Apr, 2013 11:52 am

Tasa wrote: Thanks cnosni, I did wonder if it might be a kestrel but I'm hopeless at identifying birds and used the RSPB website, and decided on balance that it was a red kite (I didn't realise the difference between their sizes). Now I know!The next time I'm up around Harewood way I'll make a detour to Weardley and see if I can spot anything. The place to go is the crossroads at the top of the hill where Weardley is.There is a wood at this crossroads and its where they first successfully bred,theres usually always at least 3 or 4 there but in autumn/winter there are many many more

Leodian · Post by **Leodian** » Tue 23 Apr, 2013 9:09 pm

I hope Tasa that you see some Red Kites when in the area. I was walking through Weardley early this afternoon (April 23 2013) and there were at least 6 flying around. I had just seen 2 near the nearby Beadlam Lane, so perhaps they were part of the at least 6.As I was walking up Sandy Gate road (getting near to the top not far from the church) a single Red Kite flew quite close. With its flying around I had to resort to just taking quick photos in the hope that I got the Kite in at least some. Surprisingly I got it in the several photos but it was only a small blur in most. I have attached the best of a poor lot, but at least it can be made out to be a Red Kite (I hope!). Knowing that Red Kites are carrion eaters my mind began to wander. Have Red Kite ever been seen to eat human corpses? The bird did seem to be interested in me as it kept flying directly over me. Perhaps it was hoping I might be a potential meal (like vultures are known to fly over still living but clearly dying animals).

Tasa · Post by **Tasa** » Tue 23 Apr, 2013 9:54 pm

Leodian wrote: I hope Tasa that you see some Red Kites when in the area. I was walking through Weardley early this afternoon (April 23 2013) and there were at least 6 flying around. I had just seen 2 near the nearby Beadlam Lane, so perhaps they were part of the at least 6.As I was walking up Sandy Gate road (getting near to the top not far from the church) a single Red Kite flew quite close. With its flying around I had to resort to just taking quick photos in the hope that I got the Kite in at least some. Surprisingly I got it in the several photos but it was only a small blur in most. I have attached the best of a poor lot, but at least it can be made out to be a Red Kite (I hope!). Knowing that Red Kites are carrion eaters my mind began to wander. Have Red Kite ever been seen to eat human corpses? The bird did seem to be interested in me as it kept flying directly over me. Perhaps it was hoping I might be a potential meal (like vultures are known to fly over still living but clearly dying animals). Thanks Leodian - that does sounds like an excellent site to visit (although maybe not to sunbathe)