On this day (Jan 17th)... 2010 - Black Kite!

 On January 17th 2010, I was in search of the 2010 Black Kite at Gigrin Farm...

A late morning diversion for one of my bogey birds - Bean Goose, turned out to be another Runner Bean! Or even a 'has bean' with not even a Canada in sight - just a flock of Mute Swans on the fields by Baskerville Hall near Hay on Wye.... Onwards to Gigrin farm then and surely the Black Kite wouldn't disappoint? Following the cold snap, Red Kites are present here in the 100's and the biggest problem for photography would be isolating individual birds out from the crowd? The feeding frenzy began - even as the meat was unloaded!! 

 
Whilst the Black Kite was my ultimate aim, you just couldn't ignore the impressive sight of 100's of Red Kites diving and feeding some 50m away! 

Always nice to see the upperwing seen here to contrast with one particular Gigrin bird..... 

A very pale 'White' Red Kite - a partly leucistic bird - not as pale as some clones but by far the easiest bird to pick out.....

 

Then at last, it all came good - a one and only chance to nail the Black Kite - a quick burst as it collected some food before disappearing over the back of the hides.... 

  

It did return later but by now the light had gone and very difficult to capture against the milky white sky.... 

  
A bonus shot in one of the trees adjacent to the feeding station to end the day!!