European Co-ordinated Kite Census

This weekend was the first attempt at an all-Wales co-ordinated kite count at all the known feeding stations. Counts being done elsewhere in Europe have focused on communal roosts, but roosts here are generally small and well-dispersed so this isn't practical.

Counts at the four major feeding stations in Ceredigion were as follows;

Nant-yr-Arian 9th Jan. 120 - 130 (Red Liford)

Bow Street 8th Jan. 115 (Mike Hayward)

Pont Einon, Tregaron 8th Jan 91 - 100 (Liz & Brian Snell)

Talsarn 9th Jan. 250 - 300 (Liz & Brian Snell)

These counts give a total of 586 - 656 birds. The all-Wales total was 1189 - 1326 with at least 485 present at Gigrin Farm, Rhayader.

The Welsh Kite Trust recently estimated the Welsh population to be around 3,000, 2,000 breeding birds and at least 1,000 none breeding birds. These results show not only the importance of Ceredigion but also the importance of feeding stations to the kite in Wales. If counts had been conducted during the worst of the winter weather in mid-December I have no doubt they may have been at least 50% higher.