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2.3 Red kite 2.3.1 Foraging Core foraging range during the breeding season Adult red kites rarely undertake long-distance movements, tending to remain close to the nest site throughout the year. The species does not defend a home range but defends a nest site against other kites, raptors and corvids (Corvus sp.) (Carter, 2001; Davis et al., 2001). Estimates of the foraging range from the nest site include: within 4km (English Nature, 2002), within 3km (Carter, 2001; Davis et al., 2001) and within 2km (Ward, 1996). Maximum foraging range during the breeding season Records of red kites around the Braes of Doune Windfarm have shown that adults can travel over 5km from their territories during the breeding season (Kevin Duffy pers. comm.). Other studies have estimated that foraging occurs up to 6km during the breeding season (Carter, 2001; Davis et al., 2001). Winter foraging range Radio-tracking work carried out by the RSPB found sub-adult red kites regularly ranging within 10km from their winter roosts, with maximum distances of 20km (Kevin Duffy pers. comm.). Other accounts have estimated that red kites normally forage within 4km of their roost site during winter, utilising a maximum area of up to 2000- 3000ha (English Nature, 2002). Studies of Welsh birds have found individuals travelling 10km in a single day (Cramp & Simmons, 1980). Studies in Germany found red kites foraging up to 10km from the roost site (Davis & Davis, 1981). A study in Germany found smaller winter home range sizes (based on minimum convex polygons): 800ha and 620ha (equivalent to foraging distances of approximately 1.6 and 1.4km) for a single male in two successive years; and 710ha (equivalent to a foraging distance of approximately 1.5km) for a single female during one year (Nachtigall et al., 2003). Home ranges were found to increase as winter proceeded and prey availability reduced. 2.3.2 Nesting Nest site fidelity Red kites tend to nest in the same restricted territories year after year, with each territory holding several nests which have been built or refurbished in different years (Newton et al., 1994; English Nature, 2002). Alternative nest sites are therefore likely to be within 1km from each other. 2.3.3 Display flights High circling displays, involving one or both birds of a pair, occur over the nesting area, usually early in the day (Cramp & Simmons, 1980). The bird(s) will rise on an up-current with wings extended, and then continue soaring. The majority of displays take place below 150m, with some occurring up to approximately 220m (Duncan Cameron pers. comm.). 6
High flying, up to 1000m, can also occur throughout the year with several birds up at once (Cramp & Simmons, 1980; Duncan Cameron pers. comm.). This usually takes place in fine weather and either early or late in the day. The majority of flights during the breeding season will be at heights of less than 100m, but this is dependent on a number of factors including weather and the rate of disturbance (Duncan Cameron pers. comm.). 2.3.4 Competitive behaviour Edge of territory interactions with conspecifics Territorial disputes between red kites are common (Carter, 2001; Davis et al., 2001). Despite this, a study in England found that pairs will breed within a few hundred metres of their nearest neighbours. They found seven pairs breeding within an area of about 400ha (Carter, 1997). 2.3.5 Habitat use Likely habitat use Red kites are generally found below 600m a.s.l. (Minns & Gilbert, 2001). They require mature woodland for breeding and roosting, with extensive open low ground, moorland areas and marginal agricultural habitats for foraging. Arable areas, as well as land with mixed livestock and rough grazing, are particularly favoured, while farmyards and roads provide sources of prey and carrion (Orr-Ewing, 2007). Open stands of coniferous and broadleaved woodland are used for nesting and communal roosting in winter, with Scots pine being the most commonly recorded species used (Carter & Grice, 2000). Nachtigall’s study in Germany reported red kites avoiding areas of deep vegetation during the breeding season, presumably because prey is less easy to find (Nachtigall, 1999). 2.3.6 Winter behaviour Winter dispersal During winter, most adult birds remain close to their home range, where they will often roost together (Davis et al., 2001). Some birds may move to a local or regional communal roost. Red kites re-introduced in Perthshire have been recorded roosting communally during the winter in numbers between 51 and 63 (Duncan Cameron pers. comm.). About 20% of first-year Scottish red kites from the two established reintroduction sites disperse from early August to early November (Davis et al., 2001). These birds tend to move in a south-westerly direction and some have reached Cornwall and Ireland. A greater proportion of females than males tend to disperse. 7
Page 1 and 2: Scottish Natural Heritage Commissio
Page 3 and 4: COMMISSIONED REPORT Summary Literat
Page 5 and 6: Tables Page Table 1 - Species revie
Page 7 and 8: 1. INTRODUCTION Proposals for opera
Page 9 and 10: 2. SPECIES ACCOUNTS 2.1 Red-throate
Page 11: 2.2 Black-throated diver 2.2.1 Fora
Page 15 and 16: moved in successive years between s
Page 17 and 18: 2.5 Goshawk 2.5.1 Foraging Core for
Page 19 and 20: Nest locations were regularly distr
Page 21 and 22: Ringing recoveries of an adult fema
Page 23 and 24: 1986). A pair on a home range in th
Page 25 and 26: Grant & McGrady (1999) followed two
Page 27 and 28: 2.7.5 Habitat use Likely habitat us
Page 33 and 34: will subsequently role away, or til
Page 35 and 36: 2.11 Short-eared Owl 2.11.1 Foragin
Page 37 and 38: 2.12 Black grouse 2.12.1 Foraging H
Page 39 and 40: making longer movements (5 to 10km)
Page 41 and 42: Thompson, 1998). Other interactions
Page 43 and 44: 2.14 Greenshank 2.14.1 Foraging Cor
Page 45 and 46: 2.15 Dunlin 2.15.1 Foraging Foragin
Page 47 and 48: 2.16 Curlew 2.16.1 Foraging Core fo
Page 49 and 50: 2.18 Wintering geese 2.18.1 Foragin
Page 51 and 52: to about 7 km from the roost (Malco
Page 53 and 54: 3.2 Foraging ranges during winter s
Page 55 and 56: 4. REFERENCES Arroyo, B.E. Leckie,
Page 57 and 58: Fuller, R.J. & Lloyd, D. (1981). Th
Page 59 and 60: Mearns, R. (1985). The hunting rang
Page 61 and 62: Rebecca, G.W. & Bainbridge, I.P. (1
Page 63 and 64:
Whittingham, M.J., Percival, S.M. &
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