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 in the morning and joined the masses watching this bird as 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
With an increasing population across Europe —including in France, where the species now breeds as close as the Calais area—the Black-winged Kite has long been anticipated as a 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.