We have been amazed since moving to Meilen by the number of big birds of prey we can see daily on our walks or even from the comfort of our balcony. Within a few hours of moving into our new home, we were gobsmacked to see that fella circling around our house!
Not that either of us is a keen bird watcher, but we had never seen a red kite in the UK! Red kites are quite big birds with a wingspan of nearly two metres. We have since found out that our house is inside the territory of a pair of kites whom we see most days flying over our neighbourghood and the lake looking for food. They make a beautiful sight. We were very excited last weekend to see one of the kites fly by with bits of twigs and vegetation in its beak, a sure sign they are thinking of nesting nearby. How wonderful would that be??!
Eddie buzzard also comes and visits us most days and sits on the tree in our back garden.
We felt quite sorry for Eddie when it was snowing and the weather was harsh, as it was probably hard for him (or her) to find food. So we helped Nature along a bit and started throwing bits of raw meat in our back garden. Although quite weary of humans, Eddie would eventually come down after a few minutes to eat, and if you don't move too much, you would be able to observe the scene from a few metres away. Since the weather has warmed up and small animals have come out of hibernation, Eddie does not come to visit quite so frequently but drops by every now and again.
What a privilege to have such a beautiful bird living in our garden! Although both red kites and buzzards are very common were we live, we always have to stop for a few moments and watch them every time we see them. They are such impressive birds.
There are plenty more birds around now that the spring is upon us, I just need to go for a walk with my camera and snap away...
Do come again!
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