Black-winged Kite: Seen only once before in the UK, near Powys Wales this was the 2nd record of this species ever seen on these shores. The kite is a species native to sub-Saharan Africa and tropical Asia but has a foothold within Europe - most notably in Spain, Portugal and France.
This was the chance I was waiting for, the oppitunity to travel down through the night and arrive before sunrise ignorer to see the bird in its roost and before flying off again.
I rallied the troops and had Steve T join me on the twitch and our plan worked as we arrived on site with the bird at its roost and watched it for about 20 minutes before it took off and disappeared.
Felling thrilled, albeit a little disappointed that the bird might be gone the crowed of 60 plus birders moved down the costal footpath towards the area the bird was last seen and thankfully it was picked up perching on a dead ash tree.
The bird spent the rest of the morning putting on a marvellous show hovering over the barley field's, hunting right in front of us and periodically returning to its perch.
I never thought wed have views like this, just brilliant.
Some folk have had the black-winged kite as being widely predicted as the next new bird to Britain, they are typically a non-migratory birds of prey and have spread from North Africa into Europe. So it's possible we could see more f these over the next few decades.
The ver swelling crowed of birders were treated rot some stunning views of the bird with its long wings, white, grey and black plumage and owl-like forward-facing eyes, we couldn't have asked for anything better.
A bit closer maybe.....
Pressures such as extreme heat in the areas these species would usually live are affecting their favoured habitats and reducing the availability of food. This is likely to be pushing them to seek out more hospitable areas to live and breed.