BLACK WINGED KITE-HORSEY MILL-NORFOLK-18TH JULY 2023

After the long-anticipated British first Black-winged Kite in Powys in mid-April all birders the length and breadth of Britain have kept a keen eye open for a potential re appearance following a 90-day blank, however, the trail had run cold, with hopes diminishing,or so it seemed.On 17th, news broke of a Black-winged Kite seen late into the evening at Stubb Mill,Norfolk.Working in Birmingham I set off early morning and joined the masses watching this bird has it sat in a bush preening.I was very lucky as by the time we had walked to see the bird and got great views, it flew off high north-west

What a stunning bird!

Mr Pegden enjoying his first for Britain

Whilst watching the Black winged kite fly off northwest two Common cranes put in an appearance heading over us.

Common Crane

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.

With an increasing population across Europe – including in France, where the species now breeds as close as the Calais area – Black-winged Kite has long been anticipated as vagrant in Britain.

Recent records from the Channel Islands, including on Alderney in spring 2020, have previously hinted that a British record could be imminent.

Given that there have now been two within the space of a few months and the species' upward trajectory on the Continent, it feels like more records will follow.