Conservationist oblivious to attention of Red Kite Milvus milvus L., 1758

P.F. Whitehead, Moor Leys, Little Comberton, Pershore, Worcestershire WR10 3EH Email: paul@thewhiteheads.eu

During 2013 Red Kites Milvus milvus L., 1758 attempted to nest on Bredon Hill, Worcestershire, the outcome of which is maligned. Birds were seen from January but left the area by July after the nest ‘failed’. The two birds evidently came from an area where they had received some ‘positive human intervention’ and were relatively tame. Many people enjoyed watching them especially along the eastern flank of Bredon Hill.

These kites demonstrated their opportunism in a variety of ways. On 26 January 2013 one approached us closely whilst searching a strandline in the valley of the River Avon at Nafford. Particularly notable was their interest in domestic rubbish containers commonly known as wheelie bins.

On 5 June 2013 Pershore Road in Little Comberton, Worcestershire (SO94), was decorated with its weekly display of these bins. Driving along this road at 11.51 hours my wife and I were confronted by a sight which is certain to remain unique for all time. A certain George Henry Green was observed to be peering intently into his wheelie bin apparently pleading communion with an invertebrate characteristic of this little-studied habitat. He was wholly unaware that he was in the good company, a mere nine metres above him, of a stalled buoyant Red Kite also looking downward into the bin but with slightly different intent (01).

Having been totally ignored by George Henry Green the Red Kite proceeded towards its nest site following and inspecting the roadside line of wheelie bins en route.

Images

01. Conservationist oblivious to overhead Red Kite Milvus milvus, Little Comberton, Worcestershire, 5 June 2013. © P.F. Whitehead.