Young white-tailed kites in box, ready to be returned to their nest. Photo by Deanna Moss, Antioch, CA.

Young white-tailed kites rescued in Antioch

Gary:
We live in Antioch and are lucky enough to have several redwood trees around our home.  A couple of months ago, I noticed 2 unique birds circling our house.  After researching online, I learned that they are white-tailed kites.  And lucky us…they decided to nest in one of our trees!

On Saturday, June 9, we had a party at our house, and it was very windy.  The wind blew the entire nest out of the tree, and onto our roof.  Two of the babies were hanging onto the nest, and were fine, but one hit the roof and did not look like it would survive.  I IMMEDIATELY called the Lindsay Wildlife Museum, had my husband put gloves on, and packed up the babies and the nest in a box for transport.  Lindsay later contacted me and told me that the one bird didn’t survive, but that the other 2 would be okay.  Later that night, I found another bird on the ground, and unfortunately it did not survive.
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Kite with rodent kill. Photo by Marina Chainey, Richmond, CA

Gary:
A stunning white-tailed kite has established it’s hunting ground in Wildcat Park and I can’t wait to run out and find him/her at it’s favorite perch every day after I come home from work.  Rodents are plentiful and it repeatedly returns to devour another victim as I watch with delight and awe.  I haven’t seen a mate about yet.  Any ideas when that may occur?
Marina Chainey, Richmond, California

Marina:
Breeding time for white-tailed kites starts about now and could happen anytime, so keep an eye out. If you’re lucky. they might choose to nest in a nearby tree. What fun it would be to be able to observe the parent kites raising their youngsters. Cross your fingers! /Gary

White-tailed kite landing in tree. Photo by Marina Chainey, Richmond, CA.

Golden eagle by David Harper, Oakley, CA

Ever looked up and wondered what kind of large bird was circling around in the sky above you?

Here are some photographs of birds of prey that you might commonly see up there. Well, except for the California condor. I just threw that one in because I’m always getting e-mails from people who say they saw a condor flying around somewhere over the San Francisco Bay Area. I’ve yet to ever see one or have a local sighting verified. Maybe someday if the condor recovery efforts keep improving. Meanwhile, here’s what a condor really looks like. Note, all have ID numbers on their wings. Enjoy. /Gary
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White-tailed kites and vole by Brian Murphy, Walnut Creek, CA

Gary:
The Kites have returned to Singingwood after a 3 week vacation somewhere – the nice weather must have brought out the voles, mice & gophers on the grassy slopes.
Brian Murphy, Walnut Creek, California

Brian:
After all the rain we’ve had and the resulting lush grass crop, Looks like it’s going to be a good year for voles. The white-tailed kites obviously think so. Checkout what the kite on the left has clenched in it’s right foot. YUM! /Gary

White-tailed kite by Dave Harper, Oakley, CA