Young Country Diary: What’s that piercing cry in the winter woods? | Polly

Hertfordshire: Everything was quiet apart from a screeching red kite. Maybe it thought I was a threat on my bike

As I cycled up the narrow country lane, I stopped when I heard an almighty piercing call. I quickly spotted an extremely large bird perching among the bare branches of the tall trees that loomed above me. Luckily, I kept my eyes on the magnificent bird as it took flight, because despite the woodland winter nakedness, it was camouflaged so well in the bare branches that I wouldn’t have noticed where the shrieking was coming from.

I was amazed at how elegant it was to watch, despite its size, and I instantly recognised it as a red kite. I am fortunate to see these birds soaring over fields around here, with their acrobatic flight, graceful gliding and their enormous red wingspan, which can reach up to 195cm!

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