Red Kite Nestwatch Double Disappointment

FANS of the Chilterns Conservation Board?s Red Kite Nest Watch have been dealt a double disappointment this week.
CCTV technology was being used to get an insight into the breeding behaviour of a pair of red kites, but over the wet Bank Holiday weekend, just as the eggs were due to hatch, the camera went off.

A problem with the power supply was identified, and the live link was re-established on Friday, but to the dismay of the gathered crowd at the Studley Green Garden Store, rather than the nest containing two fluffy chicks, it was empty!

Because the camera wasn?t working, it?s not known whether the eggs actually hatched or not, but it?s likely that the cold and wet weather through May contributed to the nest failure. It?s too late for the birds to lay again and there isn?t a suitable nest to relocate to.

?It?s a terrible blow to the project,? said project organiser, Cathy Rose. “Nest Watch has proved to be incredibly popular over the years and we were looking forward to seeing the chicks develop through the summer. We?d hoped that the antics of the chicks would have helped to raise enough donations to fund next years Nest Watch, but now we?re not sure we?ll have enough.?

If you?d like to help raise funds for next years Nest Watch, you can make a donation to the Chilterns Conservation Board?s ?Friends of Red Kites in the Chilterns? scheme. Call Cathy Rose on 01844 355 506 for more information.