Welcome to the red kite
The story of the Red Kite has been written over and over again and is now a part of Welsh History. It is the national bird of Wales and is the emblem of various businesses as well as Powys County Council. If you go to Llanwrtyd Wells, (Powys) and Gwynfe (Carmarthenshire) you will see beautiful carvings of the Red Kite. In Rhandirmwyn you will see, yes you’ve guessed it absolutely nothing. Yet the upper Tywi valley around Rhandirmwyn was for the early part of the last century the only place in Britain where this beautiful bird existed. Many local people helped in its care and eventually along with expert ornithologists and organisations such as the RSPB gradually its numbers increased and it is now breeding successfully in many parts of Wales. It took nearly a century for this to happen so as you can see it has been a long battle, but one sighting of this beautiful bird of prey will make you realise it was all so worthwhile.
Two bird reserves were set up to protect the nesting sites of the Red Kite. They are still in existence namely Dinas and the lesser known but probably more important Gwenffrwd. Part of this site (Allt Rhyd-y-groes) is on the mountainside opposite a farm known as Troedrhiwruddwen and it is said that during the early part of the last century the farmer Mr William Jones was able to view a kite’s nest from his home. Without realising it, he was probably one of the most privileged men in the country as at that time this was the only area where they nested.
This is a wonderful success story of a bird that was down to what appears to be one breeding hen bird to a healthy number that is seen at the present time. There is no doubt that without the help of Kite Committee, later called The Welsh Kite Trust and the RSPB and some dogged perseverance of some individuals then this bird would have become extinct. Other European red kites have now been introduced into other parts of Britain and are successfully breeding.
Today you will see the occasional kite flying above Rhandirmwyn. To me this is its true home and it warms my heart to think that it is possibly descended from the kites I saw when growing up as a child there in the 1950’s.
I am probably biased but I often see kites in many areas of Wales and I always marvel at the sight of them, I have seen as many as twelve together but to see the occasional one above Rhandirmwyn is worth all the sightings anywhere else
This is a wonderful success story of a bird that was down to what appears to be one breeding hen bird to a healthy number that is seen at the present time. There is no doubt that without the help of Kite Committee, later called The Welsh Kite Trust and the RSPB and some dogged perseverance of some individuals then this bird would have become extinct. Other European red kites have now been introduced into other parts of Britain and are successfully breeding.
Today you will see the occasional kite flying above Rhandirmwyn. To me this is its true home and it warms my heart to think that it is possibly descended from the kites I saw when growing up as a child there in the 1950’s.
I am probably biased but I often see kites in many areas of Wales and I always marvel at the sight of them, I have seen as many as twelve together but to see the occasional one above Rhandirmwyn is worth all the sightings anywhere else
I sometimes see kites flying low over the village, in particular the lower end near the church but my favourite viewing spot is on the hill above Bwlch-y-ffin farm, which is near Llyn Brianne Reservoir. I often see kites there just gliding by. In his book, ‘The Kite’s Tale’, Roger Lovegrove refers to visiting Rhandirmwyn for the first time in 1957 and seeing his first kite whilst conversing with Ted James outside his home. Well his home was Bwlch-y-ffin farm and contrary to Mr Lovegrove’s comments, ’The kite too has gone from around here’, I can safely say, ‘ Not so. They are still here and gracing the skies as beautifully as ever.’
I would add that this book is well worth reading and gives a wonderful insight into the kite’s survival. ISBN 0-903138-37-9
I would add that this book is well worth reading and gives a wonderful insight into the kite’s survival. ISBN 0-903138-37-9
Ted James
Bwlch-y-Ffin
I refer now to a book called, ‘Bird Life in Wild Wales’. (published. 1903) The author a Mr J A Walpole-Bond makes reference to the kite under the heading, ’In the nest Haunt of the Kite’. He states, ’Once common, even to the wonderment of foreigners, in the British Isles, the Red Kite is now reduced to a miserable remnant of some four pairs and an odd bird, which endeavour, but with ill success, to breed in a few chosen haunts in the Principality’.
He further states, ’At last measures have been taken (alas! all too late, I fear) to protect as far as possible this truly magnificent bird of prey……..’.
As can be seen the hopelessness of the situation was evident in 1903 which makes the story of the Red Kite that much more remarkable. In all references to the kite in various papers and books dating back over the last century there is no actual identification of specific haunts and nests.
This was to prevent the nests attracting the dreaded egg thieves who have regularly stolen kite eggs.
HomeCommittee Report 1952Captain Vaughan Letter 1953Nesting Population 1901 - 1952Main Site
Two bird reserves were set up to protect the nesting sites of the Red Kite. They are still in existence namely Dinas and the lesser known but probably more important Gwenffrwd. Part of this site (Allt Rhyd-y-groes) is on the mountainside opposite a farm known as Troedrhiwruddwen and it is said that during the early part of the last century the farmer Mr William Jones was able to view a kite’s nest from his home. Without realising it, he was probably one of the most privileged men in the country as at that time this was the only area where they nested.
This is a wonderful success story of a bird that was down to what appears to be one breeding hen bird to a healthy number that is seen at the present time. There is no doubt that without the help of Kite Committee, later called The Welsh Kite Trust and the RSPB and some dogged perseverance of some individuals then this bird would have become extinct. Other European red kites have now been introduced into other parts of Britain and are successfully breeding.
Today you will see the occasional kite flying above Rhandirmwyn. To me this is its true home and it warms my heart to think that it is possibly descended from the kites I saw when growing up as a child there in the 1950’s.
I am probably biased but I often see kites in many areas of Wales and I always marvel at the sight of them, I have seen as many as twelve together but to see the occasional one above Rhandirmwyn is worth all the sightings anywhere else.
The story of the Red Kite has been written over and over again and is now a part of Welsh History. It is the national bird of Wales and is the emblem of various businesses as well as Powys County Council. If you go to Llanwrtyd Wells, (Powys) and Gwynfe (Carmarthenshire) you will see beautiful carvings of the Red Kite. In Rhandirmwyn you will see, yes you’ve guessed it absolutely nothing. Yet the upper Tywi valley around Rhandirmwyn was for the early part of the last century the only place in Britain where this beautiful bird existed. Many local people helped in its care and eventually along with expert ornithologists and organisations such as the RSPB gradually its numbers increased and it is now breeding successfully in many parts of Wales. It took nearly a century for this to happen so as you can see it has been a long battle, but one sighting of this beautiful bird of prey will make you realise it was all so worthwhile.
I sometimes see kites flying low over the village, in particular the lower end near the church but my favourite viewing spot is on the hill above Bwlch-y-ffin farm, which is near Llyn Brianne Reservoir. I often see kites there just gliding by. In his book, ‘The Kite’s Tale’, Roger Lovegrove refers to visiting Rhandirmwyn for the first time in 1957 and seeing his first kite whilst conversing with Ted James outside his home. Well his home was Bwlch-y-ffin farm and contrary to Mr Lovegrove’s comments, ’The kite too has gone from around here’, I can safely say, ‘ Not so. They are still here and gracing the skies as beautifully as ever.’
I would add that this book is well worth reading and gives a wonderful insight into the kite’s survival. ISBN 0-903138-37-9
Sadly these thieves knew as much as the ornithologists and helped by one or two unscrupulous residents often managed to steal their prized eggs.
Here is a newspaper cutting from many years ago which in my view epitomises the contribution made by all the organisations such as the RSPB but also by the farmers and residents of the Upper Tywi Valley. I feel therefore that it is time that a memorial was erected to their contribution as well as to the stoicism of this wonderful bird. The Red Kite – Y Barcud Coch. Have you any views on this? Let me know.
He further states, ’At last measures have been taken (alas! all too late, I fear) to protect as far as possible this truly magnificent bird of prey……..’.
As can be seen the hopelessness of the situation was evident in 1903 which makes the story of the Red Kite that much more remarkable. In all references to the kite in various papers and books dating back over the last century there is no actual identification of specific haunts and nests.
This was to prevent the nests attracting the dreaded egg thieves who have regularly stolen kite eggs.
HomeCommittee Report 1952Captain Vaughan Letter 1953Nesting Population 1901 - 1952Main Site
Two bird reserves were set up to protect the nesting sites of the Red Kite. They are still in existence namely Dinas and the lesser known but probably more important Gwenffrwd. Part of this site (Allt Rhyd-y-groes) is on the mountainside opposite a farm known as Troedrhiwruddwen and it is said that during the early part of the last century the farmer Mr William Jones was able to view a kite’s nest from his home. Without realising it, he was probably one of the most privileged men in the country as at that time this was the only area where they nested.
This is a wonderful success story of a bird that was down to what appears to be one breeding hen bird to a healthy number that is seen at the present time. There is no doubt that without the help of Kite Committee, later called The Welsh Kite Trust and the RSPB and some dogged perseverance of some individuals then this bird would have become extinct. Other European red kites have now been introduced into other parts of Britain and are successfully breeding.
Today you will see the occasional kite flying above Rhandirmwyn. To me this is its true home and it warms my heart to think that it is possibly descended from the kites I saw when growing up as a child there in the 1950’s.
I am probably biased but I often see kites in many areas of Wales and I always marvel at the sight of them, I have seen as many as twelve together but to see the occasional one above Rhandirmwyn is worth all the sightings anywhere else.
The story of the Red Kite has been written over and over again and is now a part of Welsh History. It is the national bird of Wales and is the emblem of various businesses as well as Powys County Council. If you go to Llanwrtyd Wells, (Powys) and Gwynfe (Carmarthenshire) you will see beautiful carvings of the Red Kite. In Rhandirmwyn you will see, yes you’ve guessed it absolutely nothing. Yet the upper Tywi valley around Rhandirmwyn was for the early part of the last century the only place in Britain where this beautiful bird existed. Many local people helped in its care and eventually along with expert ornithologists and organisations such as the RSPB gradually its numbers increased and it is now breeding successfully in many parts of Wales. It took nearly a century for this to happen so as you can see it has been a long battle, but one sighting of this beautiful bird of prey will make you realise it was all so worthwhile.
I sometimes see kites flying low over the village, in particular the lower end near the church but my favourite viewing spot is on the hill above Bwlch-y-ffin farm, which is near Llyn Brianne Reservoir. I often see kites there just gliding by. In his book, ‘The Kite’s Tale’, Roger Lovegrove refers to visiting Rhandirmwyn for the first time in 1957 and seeing his first kite whilst conversing with Ted James outside his home. Well his home was Bwlch-y-ffin farm and contrary to Mr Lovegrove’s comments, ’The kite too has gone from around here’, I can safely say, ‘ Not so. They are still here and gracing the skies as beautifully as ever.’
I would add that this book is well worth reading and gives a wonderful insight into the kite’s survival. ISBN 0-903138-37-9
Sadly these thieves knew as much as the ornithologists and helped by one or two unscrupulous residents often managed to steal their prized eggs.
Here is a newspaper cutting from many years ago which in my view epitomises the contribution made by all the organisations such as the RSPB but also by the farmers and residents of the Upper Tywi Valley. I feel therefore that it is time that a memorial was erected to their contribution as well as to the stoicism of this wonderful bird. The Red Kite – Y Barcud Coch. Have you any views on this? Let me know.
Farmers helped red kite
SIR, — The statement made by your reporter (Trail of the red kite to boost jobs, Western Mail, March 14) that “egg collectors and farmers pose a deadly threat” must be put into proper context. That egg collectors pose a threat is not in dispute, but the co-operation of the army in recent years has played a significant part in minimizing the effect of these mindless predators. The issue of the farmers is a different matter. It is true that a few farmers have caused the death of red kites by the indiscriminate use of poisons. However, it must be remembered that if it wasn’t for the farmers of Rhandirmwyn and the Upper Tywi Valley, jealously guarding the nests of the red kite in the 1940s and 1950s, the bird would by now be extinct.
That it has made such a remarkable recovery is a reflection on the co-operation of those farmers then and now. It also reflects well on the sterling work undertaken by the RSPB whose video on the red kite acknowledges the important part played by the local farmers In the bird’s survival.
D IORWERTH JONES - Bronwydd Road, Carmarthen
That it has made such a remarkable recovery is a reflection on the co-operation of those farmers then and now. It also reflects well on the sterling work undertaken by the RSPB whose video on the red kite acknowledges the important part played by the local farmers In the bird’s survival.
D IORWERTH JONES - Bronwydd Road, Carmarthen
We attach a very interesting report published in 1953 by Captain H R H Vaughan who lived in Nantymwyn House, Rhandirmwyn. He was a retired Naval Officer and he and his wife Irene were very much involved in the preservation and protection of the kite. He was a magistrate at Llandovery and locals were heard to say, ‘God help anyone who is before him for stealing a Kite’s egg – there will be no mercy’. Rightly so. Mrs Irene Vaughan was a botanist and loved to talk to the village children, usually about plants and birds. Both Captain and Mrs Vaughan cared passionately about Rhandirmwyn and the Upper Tywi valley and were highly respected in the community.
I refer now to a book called, ‘Bird Life in Wild Wales’. (published. 1903) The author a Mr J A Walpole-Bond makes reference to the kite under the heading, ’In the nest Haunt of the Kite’. He states, ’Once common, even to the wonderment of foreigners, in the British Isles, the Red Kite is now reduced to a miserable remnant of some four pairs and an odd bird, which endeavour, but with ill success, to breed in a few chosen haunts in the Principality’.
He further states, ’At last measures have been taken (alas! all too late, I fear) to protect as far as possible this truly magnificent bird of prey……..’.
As can be seen the hopelessness of the situation was evident in 1903 which makes the story of the Red Kite that much more remarkable. In all references to the kite in various papers and books dating back over the last century there is no actual identification of specific haunts and nests.
This was to prevent the nests attracting the dreaded egg thieves who have regularly stolen kite eggs.
Both Captain and Mrs Vaughan received both silver and gold medals from the RSPB for their services to bird protection. The details were recorded as follows:
1954 Rare Birds…… It will be noted from an examination of the accounts that grants made under the scheme of awards for certain rare birds, notably the Golden Eagle, Hen Harrier and Marsh Harrier are higher than in previous years. This is all to the good. There has also been a slight increase in the number of Kites known to have bred successfully in Wales and the Society raised its grants from £100 to £170 in order that this work should not be hampered. The status of the Kite is still critical but there has been an improvement and this has undoubtedly been due in no small measure to the work of Captain and Mrs H. R. H. Vaughan and their small team of voluntary helpers. The Council decided during the year to award the Silver Medal of the Society to Captain and Mrs Vaughan for their devoted service to the protection of the Kite.
1968 – A Gold Medal was presented to Capt. and Mrs H. R. H. Vaughan in recognition of their service to bird protection and in particular Kites in Wales.
………………………………..
Apart from Captain and Mrs Vaughan the only other multiple medal winner in the history of the R S P B was Phyllis Barclay-Smith (silver in 1951 and gold in 1973).
We are grateful to the R S P B for this information.
Captain Vaughan died in 1978. Mrs Vaughan eventually returned to her native Suffolk where she died in 1993 at the age of 103.
Have you any photographs or stories relating to the kite. If so please send us details. Possibly you were one of the soldiers who was, ’dug in’, keeping watch on kites nests for weeks on end. If you were then we would love to hear from you.
E.mail [email protected]
Alun Jones
I refer now to a book called, ‘Bird Life in Wild Wales’. (published. 1903) The author a Mr J A Walpole-Bond makes reference to the kite under the heading, ’In the nest Haunt of the Kite’. He states, ’Once common, even to the wonderment of foreigners, in the British Isles, the Red Kite is now reduced to a miserable remnant of some four pairs and an odd bird, which endeavour, but with ill success, to breed in a few chosen haunts in the Principality’.
He further states, ’At last measures have been taken (alas! all too late, I fear) to protect as far as possible this truly magnificent bird of prey……..’.
As can be seen the hopelessness of the situation was evident in 1903 which makes the story of the Red Kite that much more remarkable. In all references to the kite in various papers and books dating back over the last century there is no actual identification of specific haunts and nests.
This was to prevent the nests attracting the dreaded egg thieves who have regularly stolen kite eggs.
Both Captain and Mrs Vaughan received both silver and gold medals from the RSPB for their services to bird protection. The details were recorded as follows:
1954 Rare Birds…… It will be noted from an examination of the accounts that grants made under the scheme of awards for certain rare birds, notably the Golden Eagle, Hen Harrier and Marsh Harrier are higher than in previous years. This is all to the good. There has also been a slight increase in the number of Kites known to have bred successfully in Wales and the Society raised its grants from £100 to £170 in order that this work should not be hampered. The status of the Kite is still critical but there has been an improvement and this has undoubtedly been due in no small measure to the work of Captain and Mrs H. R. H. Vaughan and their small team of voluntary helpers. The Council decided during the year to award the Silver Medal of the Society to Captain and Mrs Vaughan for their devoted service to the protection of the Kite.
1968 – A Gold Medal was presented to Capt. and Mrs H. R. H. Vaughan in recognition of their service to bird protection and in particular Kites in Wales.
………………………………..
Apart from Captain and Mrs Vaughan the only other multiple medal winner in the history of the R S P B was Phyllis Barclay-Smith (silver in 1951 and gold in 1973).
We are grateful to the R S P B for this information.
Captain Vaughan died in 1978. Mrs Vaughan eventually returned to her native Suffolk where she died in 1993 at the age of 103.
Have you any photographs or stories relating to the kite. If so please send us details. Possibly you were one of the soldiers who was, ’dug in’, keeping watch on kites nests for weeks on end. If you were then we would love to hear from you.
E.mail [email protected]
Alun Jones
Red Kite Report 1952 - HONORARY WARDEN’S REPORT
It is satisfactory to be able to preface this 1952 season report by stating that one of the four districts referred to in paragraph 12 of the 1951 report did in fact contain a pair that bred successfully and brought two young birds to flying stage.
2. The 1952 season has been disappointing as regards definite results. Sickness and other causes prevented us from keeping sufficiently closely in touch with certain of the known nesting pairs and some of them have not even been found this year.
3. A bird took up quarters in a new district in October, 1951, and has remained thereabouts ever since. Unverified reports of a second bird have been received but no nest has been seen.
4. The only other incident worthy of record during the winter occurred in connection with the nest referred to as Number 8 in the 1951 report. These birds, old and young, left the vicinity of the nest very soon after the young were able to fly and were not seen thereabouts again until 27th December, when the old birds, without the young, returned to the nest tree in the late afternoon. After making a careful examination they roosted in the tree and continued to do so until, in due course, they re-occupied the old nest. Their 1951 young birds were not seen. This should be compared with what we believe to be the normal behaviour (for example numbers 3 and 6 of 1951), where old and young remain together more or less in the nesting district until mid-winter when the young leave.
5. A number of egg collectors were active in March after Ravens. There is always the likelihood that such are looking for Ravens with one eye and using the other to spy for Kites.
6. Nest number 1 this year is the re-occupation of a site not used for a great many years. The pair were first seen in the district in December and stayed in the vicinity for the remainder of the winter. The foundation of their nest was an old Carrion Crow’s nest in a wood facing N.E. at an altitude of about 900 feet: in an oak about 16 feet out on a branch and about 20 feet from the ground. The birds were very wild and shy. Special precautions were taken against any form of disturbance. Certain people in the district known to be egg
collectors’ agents were warned. It was a late nest and the bird was still sitting on 27th May. On 29th May and the two following days the behaviour of the birds showed that a disaster of some sort had occurred. The tree was climbed and broken eggshells were found in the nest. Careful search of the ground below showed nothing. The cause of the trouble is not known. The birds have not left the district.
Nest number 2 is the same as number 8 of 1951. The birds behaved in what may be called a normal manner and two young successfully came to flying stage.
Nest number 3 is the same as number 2 of 1951. Behaviour was normal. Only one bird is known to have reached flying stage. No evidence whatever is available concerning the second. There was a Carrion Crow’s nest about 25 yards from the Kite tree. We therefore waited till the crows had hatched and then destroyed their nest.
Nest number 4 is the same as number 3 of 1951 and was again successful, but only one young bird flew.
Nest number 5 is the same as number 1 of 1951 and was again successful, but only one young
bird flew.
Nest number 6 was at a site used at infrequent intervals in the past: in an oak wood at a height of about 650 feet facing S.E. We are inclined to think that this is the pair we referred to as number 7 in the 1951 report. This nest was robbed. Putting the stories together we now believe that two egg-stealers were after it. The fanner warded off one but the nest, in a singularly vulnerable position, was raided by the other party unknown to the farmer until too late.
Nest number 7 is, we think, the same as number 5 of 1950. A little higher up in the same wood and in a spruce, but it was not possible to see into the nest. We are not certain of the results but consider it should be classed as probably successful as regards one young
bird.
Nest number 8 is the same pair as number 6 of 1951. This year unfortunately no nest has been found nor have any young birds been seen. Long continued sickness in the farmer’s family prevented any observation of the wood which is at a considerable distance from the
farmhouse. He did see the birds at the old nest early in the nesting season, but when we saw the nest early in July it showed no signs of having been occupied for several weeks and the old cock roosting branch looked equally derelict; nor could any pellets be found though
usually they are abundant at this site. The birds however have remained in the district.
Nest number 9 is the pair referred to in the opening paragraph of this report. The site has actually been used spasmodically over a number of years. The nest is about 20 feet up in a birch tree and is remarkable for the great number of dead young rooks or crows found adjacent to it. This season there were two eggs but only one young bird is known to have reached the flying stage.
Nest number 10 is probably, but not certainly, the same pair as number 10 of 1951. Eggs were laid and incubated for some weeks, then the nest was abandoned. The cause of the desertion is not known nor do we know whether the eggs hatched or not. There is no evidence that any harm befell the parent birds.
7. In addition to these ten pairs known to have nested or •en in a known area throughout the material part of the nesting season, a pair were seen at Site 4/1950 at a date in the season which niade it certain that they could not be confused with any other known pair. They were seen in the nesting tree but did not stay long. Since the end of the season a rather uncertain report has been received of an obvious young bird of this season having been seen in this piece of woodland in July.
8. One of this year’s nests is, we believe, an actual increase in the known breeding population and we have no reason to suppose that any harm has come to such of last year’s breeding birds as have not been found this year.
9. We have information, varying from possible or probable to certainty, concerning birds in eight other districts, but in none of them have we information as to nests. We hope, some day, to come to terms with them all. A new colleague joined us this year and put in many
days on foot in an area regarded as one of possibility. His days of foot-slogging gave excellent and positive results.
10. Our good friends in the Devon Birdwatching Society continue to help us and have sent us a number of reports of birds seen in the southwest of England. One is of particular interest: a pair, seen at the beginning of April, at a point in Cornwall where Montagu’s
Harriers and other hawks have actually been seen arriving from a Channel crossing. There is, we are advised, just an element of doubt in this case (and in one report from Devon) as to whether the birds seen may not have been Black Kites.
11. One report received had perhaps best be given in the words of our colleague who sent it in “X, whose farm is the one in the district chiefly frequented by the Kite, had a strange tale. He is a cautious man who has watched the Kite about almost daily since it first visited his land last October, and had only seen a single bird until Wednesday, 9th April. On that day in the afternoon, he swears, there were five or six Kites flying low over the field behind his house. He could not give the exact figure because—’they were all mixed up and moving and chasing crows.’ He crept up behind a hedge to within 50 yards of them. They were whistling, he said, and it was the first time he had heard a Kite cry—always before the solitary bird had been silent. This sounds incredible, but he is, as I say, a very cautious man who does not identify without reason. He is also of sober habits.”
12. This story was related, for comment, to an elderly farmer’ living several miles away and with many years of Kite experience. He said he had seen three Kites behave in a similar manner and also said that as soon as the first egg has been laid Kites become aggressive and will chase crows. In some old records that have been searched during this past year a reference has been found to five Kites being seen together early in the nesting season.
Taking this 1952 story at its face value, the question arises, where did the five birds come from? Only one pair was believed to exist within eight miles.
13. From the same farmer, who until October, 1951, had never seen a Kite on his land, came also the following :— “He said he wished the Kite would come to his land every Spring. He had watched it chasing off crows and he said this was the first year he could remember when he had lost no lambs to the crows. All the credit for this he gave to the Kite for chasing the crows away.” It should be added that no Kites’ nest was found on this farm or in its vicinity.
14. We received one complaint of a Kite taking young chicks. The complaint was accompanied by a demand for money compensation. This we refused as we were far from satisfied with the evidence. We offered to provide fencing wire to protect the chicken run. This offer was refused. The complainant withdrew and we heard no more of the matter.
15. We have no comments to make concerning the weather during the nesting season.
16. Blackheaded Gulls (Larus ridibundus) have been found in quantity among the debris at a Kite’s nest this year. This appears to be the first record of this item occurring in the Kite’s diet. The site was about five miles from a Gullery and a Gulls’ line of flight passed not far from the nest. There is no evidence as to how the gulls were obtained nor is there for the frequently found relics of rooks. One must not exclude the possibility that the Kite may be able to take its prey on the wing. Any first hand information on the point will be most welcome.
17. The Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries stated in the House of Commons on 31st January, 1952, that he had decided not to make the Compulsory Purchase Order in respect of the Upper Towy Afforestation Scheme. We gratefully record the withdrawal of the threat of large-scale disturbance of the Kite breeding ground. The Proposals submitted to the Nature Conservancy for a Scientific Area under Section 23 of The National Parks Act have been amended by extending the Northern and Eastward boundaries.
18. We are frequently asked to make estithates and give figures for Kite population. It is not possible to do anything of the sort with the least pretension to accuracy, but for what it may be worth, a table has been compiled and is included in this report as Appendix II. There is, we believe, no justification for assuming that the apparent considerable increase in the most recent years reflects a considerable actual increase, or that it is due to the work of the Kite Committee. The more probable explanation is that the field workers of the
Committee have learned of the whereabouts of pairs that have probably been breeding unknown to us for several years. The Handbook of British Birds (vol. III, page 86), refers to a nest in Devon in 1913 and one in Cornwall in 1920. We have no particulars of these nests and if anyone can supply us with the information we shall be greatly obliged.
H. R. H. VAUGHAN, Honorary Kite Warden.7
2. The 1952 season has been disappointing as regards definite results. Sickness and other causes prevented us from keeping sufficiently closely in touch with certain of the known nesting pairs and some of them have not even been found this year.
3. A bird took up quarters in a new district in October, 1951, and has remained thereabouts ever since. Unverified reports of a second bird have been received but no nest has been seen.
4. The only other incident worthy of record during the winter occurred in connection with the nest referred to as Number 8 in the 1951 report. These birds, old and young, left the vicinity of the nest very soon after the young were able to fly and were not seen thereabouts again until 27th December, when the old birds, without the young, returned to the nest tree in the late afternoon. After making a careful examination they roosted in the tree and continued to do so until, in due course, they re-occupied the old nest. Their 1951 young birds were not seen. This should be compared with what we believe to be the normal behaviour (for example numbers 3 and 6 of 1951), where old and young remain together more or less in the nesting district until mid-winter when the young leave.
5. A number of egg collectors were active in March after Ravens. There is always the likelihood that such are looking for Ravens with one eye and using the other to spy for Kites.
6. Nest number 1 this year is the re-occupation of a site not used for a great many years. The pair were first seen in the district in December and stayed in the vicinity for the remainder of the winter. The foundation of their nest was an old Carrion Crow’s nest in a wood facing N.E. at an altitude of about 900 feet: in an oak about 16 feet out on a branch and about 20 feet from the ground. The birds were very wild and shy. Special precautions were taken against any form of disturbance. Certain people in the district known to be egg
collectors’ agents were warned. It was a late nest and the bird was still sitting on 27th May. On 29th May and the two following days the behaviour of the birds showed that a disaster of some sort had occurred. The tree was climbed and broken eggshells were found in the nest. Careful search of the ground below showed nothing. The cause of the trouble is not known. The birds have not left the district.
Nest number 2 is the same as number 8 of 1951. The birds behaved in what may be called a normal manner and two young successfully came to flying stage.
Nest number 3 is the same as number 2 of 1951. Behaviour was normal. Only one bird is known to have reached flying stage. No evidence whatever is available concerning the second. There was a Carrion Crow’s nest about 25 yards from the Kite tree. We therefore waited till the crows had hatched and then destroyed their nest.
Nest number 4 is the same as number 3 of 1951 and was again successful, but only one young bird flew.
Nest number 5 is the same as number 1 of 1951 and was again successful, but only one young
bird flew.
Nest number 6 was at a site used at infrequent intervals in the past: in an oak wood at a height of about 650 feet facing S.E. We are inclined to think that this is the pair we referred to as number 7 in the 1951 report. This nest was robbed. Putting the stories together we now believe that two egg-stealers were after it. The fanner warded off one but the nest, in a singularly vulnerable position, was raided by the other party unknown to the farmer until too late.
Nest number 7 is, we think, the same as number 5 of 1950. A little higher up in the same wood and in a spruce, but it was not possible to see into the nest. We are not certain of the results but consider it should be classed as probably successful as regards one young
bird.
Nest number 8 is the same pair as number 6 of 1951. This year unfortunately no nest has been found nor have any young birds been seen. Long continued sickness in the farmer’s family prevented any observation of the wood which is at a considerable distance from the
farmhouse. He did see the birds at the old nest early in the nesting season, but when we saw the nest early in July it showed no signs of having been occupied for several weeks and the old cock roosting branch looked equally derelict; nor could any pellets be found though
usually they are abundant at this site. The birds however have remained in the district.
Nest number 9 is the pair referred to in the opening paragraph of this report. The site has actually been used spasmodically over a number of years. The nest is about 20 feet up in a birch tree and is remarkable for the great number of dead young rooks or crows found adjacent to it. This season there were two eggs but only one young bird is known to have reached the flying stage.
Nest number 10 is probably, but not certainly, the same pair as number 10 of 1951. Eggs were laid and incubated for some weeks, then the nest was abandoned. The cause of the desertion is not known nor do we know whether the eggs hatched or not. There is no evidence that any harm befell the parent birds.
7. In addition to these ten pairs known to have nested or •en in a known area throughout the material part of the nesting season, a pair were seen at Site 4/1950 at a date in the season which niade it certain that they could not be confused with any other known pair. They were seen in the nesting tree but did not stay long. Since the end of the season a rather uncertain report has been received of an obvious young bird of this season having been seen in this piece of woodland in July.
8. One of this year’s nests is, we believe, an actual increase in the known breeding population and we have no reason to suppose that any harm has come to such of last year’s breeding birds as have not been found this year.
9. We have information, varying from possible or probable to certainty, concerning birds in eight other districts, but in none of them have we information as to nests. We hope, some day, to come to terms with them all. A new colleague joined us this year and put in many
days on foot in an area regarded as one of possibility. His days of foot-slogging gave excellent and positive results.
10. Our good friends in the Devon Birdwatching Society continue to help us and have sent us a number of reports of birds seen in the southwest of England. One is of particular interest: a pair, seen at the beginning of April, at a point in Cornwall where Montagu’s
Harriers and other hawks have actually been seen arriving from a Channel crossing. There is, we are advised, just an element of doubt in this case (and in one report from Devon) as to whether the birds seen may not have been Black Kites.
11. One report received had perhaps best be given in the words of our colleague who sent it in “X, whose farm is the one in the district chiefly frequented by the Kite, had a strange tale. He is a cautious man who has watched the Kite about almost daily since it first visited his land last October, and had only seen a single bird until Wednesday, 9th April. On that day in the afternoon, he swears, there were five or six Kites flying low over the field behind his house. He could not give the exact figure because—’they were all mixed up and moving and chasing crows.’ He crept up behind a hedge to within 50 yards of them. They were whistling, he said, and it was the first time he had heard a Kite cry—always before the solitary bird had been silent. This sounds incredible, but he is, as I say, a very cautious man who does not identify without reason. He is also of sober habits.”
12. This story was related, for comment, to an elderly farmer’ living several miles away and with many years of Kite experience. He said he had seen three Kites behave in a similar manner and also said that as soon as the first egg has been laid Kites become aggressive and will chase crows. In some old records that have been searched during this past year a reference has been found to five Kites being seen together early in the nesting season.
Taking this 1952 story at its face value, the question arises, where did the five birds come from? Only one pair was believed to exist within eight miles.
13. From the same farmer, who until October, 1951, had never seen a Kite on his land, came also the following :— “He said he wished the Kite would come to his land every Spring. He had watched it chasing off crows and he said this was the first year he could remember when he had lost no lambs to the crows. All the credit for this he gave to the Kite for chasing the crows away.” It should be added that no Kites’ nest was found on this farm or in its vicinity.
14. We received one complaint of a Kite taking young chicks. The complaint was accompanied by a demand for money compensation. This we refused as we were far from satisfied with the evidence. We offered to provide fencing wire to protect the chicken run. This offer was refused. The complainant withdrew and we heard no more of the matter.
15. We have no comments to make concerning the weather during the nesting season.
16. Blackheaded Gulls (Larus ridibundus) have been found in quantity among the debris at a Kite’s nest this year. This appears to be the first record of this item occurring in the Kite’s diet. The site was about five miles from a Gullery and a Gulls’ line of flight passed not far from the nest. There is no evidence as to how the gulls were obtained nor is there for the frequently found relics of rooks. One must not exclude the possibility that the Kite may be able to take its prey on the wing. Any first hand information on the point will be most welcome.
17. The Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries stated in the House of Commons on 31st January, 1952, that he had decided not to make the Compulsory Purchase Order in respect of the Upper Towy Afforestation Scheme. We gratefully record the withdrawal of the threat of large-scale disturbance of the Kite breeding ground. The Proposals submitted to the Nature Conservancy for a Scientific Area under Section 23 of The National Parks Act have been amended by extending the Northern and Eastward boundaries.
18. We are frequently asked to make estithates and give figures for Kite population. It is not possible to do anything of the sort with the least pretension to accuracy, but for what it may be worth, a table has been compiled and is included in this report as Appendix II. There is, we believe, no justification for assuming that the apparent considerable increase in the most recent years reflects a considerable actual increase, or that it is due to the work of the Kite Committee. The more probable explanation is that the field workers of the
Committee have learned of the whereabouts of pairs that have probably been breeding unknown to us for several years. The Handbook of British Birds (vol. III, page 86), refers to a nest in Devon in 1913 and one in Cornwall in 1920. We have no particulars of these nests and if anyone can supply us with the information we shall be greatly obliged.
H. R. H. VAUGHAN, Honorary Kite Warden.7
Captain VauGhan Letter 1953
KITE REPORT, 1952 - KITE NESTING POPULATION
The figures given in this Appendix have been obtained from a number of sources, mostly manuscript. Some use has also been made of a table compiled a few years ago by Mr. James Fisher. The various figures have frequently been found to be in conflict and I have had to select those which seemed to me to be the more likely to be correct. I have erred throughout on the low rather than on the high side. To enable subscribers to get perhaps a clearer picture of the Kite population through this half century I have included below a number of notes and comments taken from the same sources.
I am quite satisfied that the figure hitherto generally accepted, of two pairs and one odd bird for 1905 is far from correct and I consider that a truer estimate is that given by Dr. Salter i 1903. Equally of course I am convinced that Jourdain’s statement that “every pair is regularly robbed twice a year” is rubbish. But the interesting point in that statement is the indication that second clutches were a regular feature of the breeding biology of the species. It is strange that we have not come across any evidence of this today.
These records show several cases of three eggs. I knew of one of the 1912 instances before I had seen any of these figures because I happen to know the man who was employed as a watcher. He told me that three hatched (and flew) and that while the young were in the nest important people were brought from London to see them as it was considered so extraordinary. The sources from which the figures have been taken also, in most years, yielded the names of the nest sites : between forty and fifty of them. Almost all of them have been identified.
Some are still in use but in several the woodlands have been felled and they can no longer harbour a Kite.
Writing in the Transactions of the Cardiff Naturalists’ Society in. 1928 (vol. LXI, page 83), Dr. Salter stated that in 1920 it was believed that at least twelve pairs of adult Kites existed. He also wrote that that year one Aberystwyth taxidermist received four Kites.
Another source refers to 1920 as “a year of disaster.” But looking at the figures which I have been able to provide in this appendix, there is no sign of the existence of 12 pairs in 1919 or 1920, nor any very great indication of disaster in 1920. None the less, I am inclined to believe Dr. Salter rather than the figures in the appendix. The study of such records as are available has not been completed and I hope that more research may be carried out during the coming winter. From 1931 to 1948 the sources are very few and meagre and I would ask anyone who has, or knows of, any letters or diaries containing references to Kites, particularly during that period of eighteen years, to be good enough to communicate with me or the Secretary of the West Wales Field Society.
Notes and Comments Concerning the Kite Population Figures
1901. (Writing in 1909.) To our certain knowledge two young birds were shot in the Wye Valley about eight years ago and probably the old birds also.
1903. It is difficult to speak with certainty as to the exact number which remain, but there are certainly three and probably five or six pairs—eight would be the outside limit. Its numbers do not appear to have decreased much during the past ten years. It is however most exceptional for any of these pairs to bring off young owing to the greed of egg collectors. Nothing remains but to employ watchers. This plan will be tried during the coming breeding season tentatively in one or two cases (Salter). Every pair is regularly robbed twice a year
(Jour- dam).
1904. Reduced to a miserable remnant of three or four pairs. 1905. In 1905 only two pairs of old birds and possibly one odd male remained. In the spring of 1905 there were three pairs and one or two odd birds.
Two pairs succeeded this year for the first time in ten years it is believed. Pair seen over Dovey Estuary.
1907. A second pair in quite a different locality with two young. 1909. Thus there are 15 birds and may well have been more. A seventh pair observed in another part of Wales. 1910. Birds remarkably fertile. Population now about 20. A pair seen nearly 30 miles away. We hope other pairs equally fortunate. Total number at the present time has increased to about 15.
1912. A pair in a new locality. It is remarkable that none laid a second clutch though frequently seen carrying nesting materials. (Yet another source gives certainly one and possibly two second clutches.)
1913. There has sometimes been a nest near (mentioning a locality for the first time) but
not this year.
1918 A steady but until recently a very slow increase.
1919. I am fully persuaded that several pairs of Kites eluded our vigilance this season and hatched out and reared their young unseen and undisturbed.
1920. A year of disaster.
1923. Mentioning two sites for the first time adds, in each case, “has also been successful here for some years.”
1924. Population estimated at 14. “Kites in all other usual haunts.”
1927, 1928. A claim has been made that in these two years large numbers of Kites’ eggs were imported from Spain and placed in Buzzards’ nests.
1929. A note is made that “last year” five flew whereas from other sources it seems that
only three flew.
1930. I think there are as many Kites as there were but they have spread over more country. Three new sites are mentioned of which two have been used, unrecorded, before.
1932. Five nests have been “crowed” since 1920. I am sorry to tell you of the last three disastrous years: we believe stock not reduced but only one young got off each year. I cannot make out what has become of all the young Kites reared during the last 25 years. We have not heard of any killed nor of any new sites. Watching is much more difficult now, good roads everywhere, good bridges over the rivers and brooks. Young ornithologists go from Oxford and Cambridge in the day and see the Kites.
1937. A nest protected by watchers is reported as crowed, but other evidence is known today (1952) suggesting malpractice by the watcher; nor is this the only case in which this may have occurred.
1938. “One of last year’s young still about.” (This statement, if true, is remarkable, for it indicates quite abnormal behaviour by a young bird.) Population 15. (But actually the figures, including known single birds, add up to 20 and
there is the added remark: “Further birds seen elsewhere.”)
Study of the information now available provides convincing evidence that many of the sites claimed as “new” at various dates (even today) were in fact already known to, and from time to time robbed by, egg collectors, one of whom has very courteously furnished me with some names of sites known to him many years ago and which are not mentioned in any of the Kite Protection sources. It was surprising to learn, on the other hand, that this collector did not know of a pair which nested for fifteen years or more in a district very close to the scene of some of his raids: perhaps the protection there, conducted by an independent gentleman, was too efficient for the collector’s local guide to face.
H. R. H. VAUGHAN.
Nantymwyn,
Rhandirmwyn,
Carmarthenshire
I am quite satisfied that the figure hitherto generally accepted, of two pairs and one odd bird for 1905 is far from correct and I consider that a truer estimate is that given by Dr. Salter i 1903. Equally of course I am convinced that Jourdain’s statement that “every pair is regularly robbed twice a year” is rubbish. But the interesting point in that statement is the indication that second clutches were a regular feature of the breeding biology of the species. It is strange that we have not come across any evidence of this today.
These records show several cases of three eggs. I knew of one of the 1912 instances before I had seen any of these figures because I happen to know the man who was employed as a watcher. He told me that three hatched (and flew) and that while the young were in the nest important people were brought from London to see them as it was considered so extraordinary. The sources from which the figures have been taken also, in most years, yielded the names of the nest sites : between forty and fifty of them. Almost all of them have been identified.
Some are still in use but in several the woodlands have been felled and they can no longer harbour a Kite.
Writing in the Transactions of the Cardiff Naturalists’ Society in. 1928 (vol. LXI, page 83), Dr. Salter stated that in 1920 it was believed that at least twelve pairs of adult Kites existed. He also wrote that that year one Aberystwyth taxidermist received four Kites.
Another source refers to 1920 as “a year of disaster.” But looking at the figures which I have been able to provide in this appendix, there is no sign of the existence of 12 pairs in 1919 or 1920, nor any very great indication of disaster in 1920. None the less, I am inclined to believe Dr. Salter rather than the figures in the appendix. The study of such records as are available has not been completed and I hope that more research may be carried out during the coming winter. From 1931 to 1948 the sources are very few and meagre and I would ask anyone who has, or knows of, any letters or diaries containing references to Kites, particularly during that period of eighteen years, to be good enough to communicate with me or the Secretary of the West Wales Field Society.
Notes and Comments Concerning the Kite Population Figures
1901. (Writing in 1909.) To our certain knowledge two young birds were shot in the Wye Valley about eight years ago and probably the old birds also.
1903. It is difficult to speak with certainty as to the exact number which remain, but there are certainly three and probably five or six pairs—eight would be the outside limit. Its numbers do not appear to have decreased much during the past ten years. It is however most exceptional for any of these pairs to bring off young owing to the greed of egg collectors. Nothing remains but to employ watchers. This plan will be tried during the coming breeding season tentatively in one or two cases (Salter). Every pair is regularly robbed twice a year
(Jour- dam).
1904. Reduced to a miserable remnant of three or four pairs. 1905. In 1905 only two pairs of old birds and possibly one odd male remained. In the spring of 1905 there were three pairs and one or two odd birds.
Two pairs succeeded this year for the first time in ten years it is believed. Pair seen over Dovey Estuary.
1907. A second pair in quite a different locality with two young. 1909. Thus there are 15 birds and may well have been more. A seventh pair observed in another part of Wales. 1910. Birds remarkably fertile. Population now about 20. A pair seen nearly 30 miles away. We hope other pairs equally fortunate. Total number at the present time has increased to about 15.
1912. A pair in a new locality. It is remarkable that none laid a second clutch though frequently seen carrying nesting materials. (Yet another source gives certainly one and possibly two second clutches.)
1913. There has sometimes been a nest near (mentioning a locality for the first time) but
not this year.
1918 A steady but until recently a very slow increase.
1919. I am fully persuaded that several pairs of Kites eluded our vigilance this season and hatched out and reared their young unseen and undisturbed.
1920. A year of disaster.
1923. Mentioning two sites for the first time adds, in each case, “has also been successful here for some years.”
1924. Population estimated at 14. “Kites in all other usual haunts.”
1927, 1928. A claim has been made that in these two years large numbers of Kites’ eggs were imported from Spain and placed in Buzzards’ nests.
1929. A note is made that “last year” five flew whereas from other sources it seems that
only three flew.
1930. I think there are as many Kites as there were but they have spread over more country. Three new sites are mentioned of which two have been used, unrecorded, before.
1932. Five nests have been “crowed” since 1920. I am sorry to tell you of the last three disastrous years: we believe stock not reduced but only one young got off each year. I cannot make out what has become of all the young Kites reared during the last 25 years. We have not heard of any killed nor of any new sites. Watching is much more difficult now, good roads everywhere, good bridges over the rivers and brooks. Young ornithologists go from Oxford and Cambridge in the day and see the Kites.
1937. A nest protected by watchers is reported as crowed, but other evidence is known today (1952) suggesting malpractice by the watcher; nor is this the only case in which this may have occurred.
1938. “One of last year’s young still about.” (This statement, if true, is remarkable, for it indicates quite abnormal behaviour by a young bird.) Population 15. (But actually the figures, including known single birds, add up to 20 and
there is the added remark: “Further birds seen elsewhere.”)
Study of the information now available provides convincing evidence that many of the sites claimed as “new” at various dates (even today) were in fact already known to, and from time to time robbed by, egg collectors, one of whom has very courteously furnished me with some names of sites known to him many years ago and which are not mentioned in any of the Kite Protection sources. It was surprising to learn, on the other hand, that this collector did not know of a pair which nested for fifteen years or more in a district very close to the scene of some of his raids: perhaps the protection there, conducted by an independent gentleman, was too efficient for the collector’s local guide to face.
H. R. H. VAUGHAN.
Nantymwyn,
Rhandirmwyn,
Carmarthenshire
