Red kites were voted the national bird of Wales in a recent poll and often feature in media reports. Even so a local was taken aback recently when a nest was seen some 40 feet up in one of his trees and a clutch of three eggs was laid.

Hatching of each egg in turn was spread over several weeks and the male kite rarely left the scene. The fledging period can vary, depending on the size of the brood and food availability. The young may start to clamber about the nest tree by 45 days of age, but rarely fledge before 48-50 days, sometimes not until 60-70 days. An ornithologist visited the nest during this time climbing the tree and bringing the young birds down to be weighed, measured and ringed.

Attention was first drawn to this nest by the kite activity and the size of the nest. A kite's nest is built of dead twigs and lined with grass and sheep's wool. A couple of days prior to egg laying, kites decorate the nest with rubbish and oddments they find near the nest. Paper, rags, crisp packets, carrier bags, even underwear and toys have been recorded! New material is added to the nest throughout the breeding season, and a nest that has been in use for a number of seasons grows to a considerable size. If nesting is successful, the same nest is used the following year.

At one time red kites were confined to Wales but a reintroduction scheme has brought them back to many parts of England and Scotland too. The juveniles may wander many miles from their birthplace before returning as adults to their home area. So 'Pandy and district' is unlikely to have seen the last of the kites!