Late summer and this pair of kites has arrived taken up residence in the copse opposite the house.

Fantastic display of aerobatics from them culminating in this sequence taken early evening.

Though late in the season, they move with food supply and it’s not unheard that they raise a brood late summer. In 2021 we arrived at our new house in mid-october to find a pair with a single juvenile that was little more than a fledgling.

This display, clearly that of the more usual spring courtship performance, may indicate the intention to breed. I have seen evidence of a nest site in the week following these images. There is certain abundance of their main food supply, and with the surrounding sunflower harvest yet to be brought in, followed even later in autumn by the maize, there will be repeated exposure of new fields and their vole and mice population.

Looking forward to the opportunity to follow these over the autumn. Even without a brood, if the food supply holds up they will very likely stay: it’s a perfect location for them at this time of year.