David
Element
Wildlife
Photography
and Digital
Video Images
_______________________________ Birds 32 - Raptors

RED
KITE Milvus milvus

BLACK
KITE Milvus migrans

BUZZARD
Buteo buteo

PEREGRINE
FALCONS Falco peregrinus (JUVENILES)

PEREGRINE
FALCON Falco peregrinus

PEREGRINE
FALCON Falco peregrinus

SPARROWHAWK
Accipiter nisus (m)

GRIFFON
VULTURE Gyps fulvus

LAMMERGEIER
Gypaetus barbatus

GOLDEN
EAGLE Aquila chrysaetos (JUVENILE)
SHORT-TOED
EAGLE Circaetus gallicus
- The Red Kite is
one of the great success stories of individual species
conservation in the UK. Several waves of artificial
re-introduction of European bloodstock have been used to
reinforce the remaining native breeding population in
Wales and this bird has now begun to spread quite widely.
Because these birds can fly long distances and may reach
the UK from continental Europe there are fewer concerns
about compromising the native gene pool than there might
be for a relatively static and isolated species. Some
more digital images of these splendid birds may be found
on Birds 44.
- The Black Kite, Buzzard
and Griffon Vulture were photographed in
northern Spain. Black Kites are abundant throughout much
of the World and they do occasionally reach the UK.
Buzzards are beginning to re-colonise the South East of
England - although the reason for their earlier absence
from an area with a good supply of Rabbits has always
been difficult to explain. Griffon Vultures have been
successfully reintroduced to the gorges of southern
France recently.
- Peregrine Falcons
have recovered spectacularly from a dramatic population
crash during the second half of the twentieth century and
some pairs have even bred in London. The birds seen here
were photographed in southern England. The 'anchor' shape
is diagnostic.
- Sparrowhawks were
particularly badly hit by the use of toxic DDT during the
middle of the twentieth century. Fortunately their
numbers have now recovered to a healthy level.
- The rare
Lammergeier (or Bearded Vulture)
with its distinctive tail, juvenile Golden Eagle
(hence the pale wing patches) and Short-toed
Eagle were all photographed with digital
equipment during a walk in the Hautes-Pyrénées near the
French/Spanish border. These images have been
significantly cropped and enlarged as the subjects were
all some distance away.
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© David
Element.