The story of taking my first photo of the red kite is similar to the story of photographing the normal osprey. The only difference between the two is in the season during which each of the two photos were taken: the osprey was perhaps just before its migration (autumn), and the red kite must have had its nest somewhere nearby (June). Both birds may be fascinating. Looking at pictures of the red kite which could be found on the Internet I regret that my gallery is so little. Not only does it contain just this one photo, but the quality of this photo could be a lot better too. Let’s hope that with time this species will have a gallery as rich as the gallery of the buzzard or the eagle. The red kite belongs to large predatory birds. It has a wingspan of about 1.5 meters and a weight not exceeding 1.5 kilograms. A characteristic feature of this bird, which can help you identify this species is the “indented” tip of its triangular tail, when in flight. Although at first glance, when seen in flight, it looks similar to the more frequently occurring western marsh harrier, it’s the tail that is the distinguishing feature which helps you identify the species. The red kite is a lot larger than the western marsh harrier, especially if you compare the weight of the two.
Last minute news- 07/2015
For more than three years there have been no changes to the gallery of the red kite. As it often happens, I encountered the bird by chance and luckily I managed to take some pictures. This is perhaps one of the most beautiful of our predators and there is no way to take proper pictures without a hide.
Last minute news- 11/2018 United Kingdom
I have always considered the red kite to be one of the most beautiful clawed birds in the Polish fauna, and of those regularly occurring perhaps the most beautiful one. Unfortunately, with the little free time I have, I had no other choice but to use someone else's shelters to admire and photograph these beautiful birds. My two previous encounters with the red kite - 6 and 3 years ago - were accidental and ended up with only documentary pictures against the background of the sky. Such species must not end up in the one-star, documentary gallery on my site! Over the years I have not been able to find either a shelter or a person in Poland who would offer me the opportunity to take good pictures of these birds. It was for the better, though, because otherwise I would not have visited Gigrin Farm (link) in the UK, in Wales, to be precise. I recommend a visit to that place not only to photographers or naturalists, but to everyone, because there is only a handful of such interesting place in the world. And why? I think this text will make it more than clear. Red kites are by nature rather shy and difficult to photograph - at least that is our Polish experience in that respect.The Gigrin Farm has been feeding and rehabilitating sick birds for many years. I assure you that they do it out of concern for the birds and not for profit. The cheapest admission to the shelter is 7 pounds! And that, I think, says it all. The money goes for feeding and taking care of the birds. Nothing special, right? Right, until you see the scale of the undertaking. Feeding always starts at 2 PM. On the first day I went to the high, more expensive hide two hours earlier. From the high hide you are more likely to get the chance to take dynamic photos with an interesting autumn background. So imagine: a scene reminiscent of Hitchcock’s the Birds - dark, heavy clouds and birds on their background. First, single kites, rooks, buzzards, carrion crows, but with every moment I can see more and more birds coming closer and closer. Birds circling over the place of feeding. Just before 2 PM you can watch hundreds of red kites! All in one place! They are flying in the air but they do not bump into each other. You rarely see them wrestle or collide midair, as did the bearded vulture. Once the meal has been served the birds begin the raids. From my hide, which is actually more of a balcony than a hide, I can sometimes feel a gust of wind from approaching birds. The proximity and number of birds both amaze and bewilder. Photographing itself is not limited by anything; there is no glass or fixed elements between me and the birds. The kites have become so accustomed to people’s presence while they are feeding that even dozens of people watching this rare spectacle all at once do not frighten them. Whole families arrive for just that one hour, parents with children, grandparents with grandchildren and somewhere among them there is always a photographer. Amazing to observe, but taking pictures is a whole different story. The number of birds and the speed at which they arrive makes it a challenge. Ideally, you would like to have the bird in flight, at a relatively close distance and against the background of the autumn foliage. For the first several minutes it is very difficult because there are almost always a few birds in the frame, while others are already halfway out of or into the frame. And you have to hurry, because the first hour is really the most important one, because then the intensity of the encounter with the kites is the greatest. It's best to concentrate on one bird, follow it and take pictures every now and then. Unfortunately, looking at the photos in the evening I noticed solid identification numbers attached to the wings of some birds, which totally discredited the pictures. There were probably a dozen such marked birds. Only a few birds stayed for another hour or two. Fortunately, for a change, they landed on the ground and searched the grass for leftovers. This time, I took static images of the kites from the lower shelters. I took hundreds if not thousands of pictures during three meetings with those magnificent birds, and fortunately there is a lot to choose from to remember them by. I also added a soundtrack with the voice of a kite to the gallery. Before the meal, some of the birds were sitting in the nearby trees and giving out their hoarse whistles. Finally, there are pictures in the red kite gallery that honestly reflect the charm and beauty of those birds. The gallery is of now not only a 4-star, very good, gallery on my site but also a member of “my favorite” category. Thanks to everyone at the Gigrin Farm for creating this unique place, one of its kind in the world, and for the warm and friendly atmosphere there. I am happy to have been there because, I assure you, it is more than worth it…
Last minute news 04/2022
Although it was not the Red Kite which was supposed to be in front of the camera in the shelter, I was surprised and happy when it appeared. It was my first such close encounter with a Kite in Poland and it should be noted in the information in the kite gallery. Unfortunately the bird appeared only for a moment and the sun was shining quite intensively, but I added some photos to commemorate this meeting.