Three Kites & some Spring migrants

Drving to the usual area by Wrentham Church this morning Sunday 12th April, I was delighted to see the escaped Black Kite flying around and often it was flying up and perching in a favoured tall tree. This action was repeated several times, often carrying large sticks. As it flew around it gave close views and was an ideal photographic subject at such close range my 100-400mm Canon L lens was an ideal choice at this range. The resultant pictures are posted here on this post and on the headers for this blog. The main concern was getting pictures at the right angle to show off the subtle plumage colouration and stop such a dark bird becoming a silhouette. Once it flew in to the tree and settled immediately to the right, and a fraction of a second later another Kite, with red rufous coloration and long red tail flew right and past the Black Kite, it had a missing primary and was, of course, a fine Red Kite. The Black Kite flew round several times sometimes barely 10 feet above my head. Later Chris D arrived and we both watched the bird flying around a field and once it perched in another tall tree. Meanwhile a Chiff-Chaff flew into a hedge and started singing right above our heads, always nice to see (and hear!) this early spring migrant. A second additional Chiff-Chaff was seen and heard calling just up the lane. As I drove back along the A12 at 11.35am, I saw another fine elegant Red Kite gliding and flying south with swept back wings and forked tail it was seen gliding flying south over first the levels and then gliding A12, always impressive birds to see. I managed to stop and have a quick look, typically elegant shape, with swept back wings and reddish swivelled forked tail. Next stop was Kessingland Sewage works, where I bumped into Paul & Jane F, I could hear and see a Willow Warbler calling. A Chiff-Chaff was calling here too. Plus slightly further along, a singing male Blackcap, revealed itself as it sang atop a bare branched stick tree. In the reeds behind I could hear a Sedge Warber singing. Willow, Sedge Warblers and Blackcap were all new for the year for me. A walk around Corton old sewage works revealed few migrants save for 10 Sand Martins flying around the cliffs by radar lodge.