Black Kite Waihopai Valley Blenheim

[Stevex2]

Spotted this sole black kite soaring over the vineyards in the Waihopai Valley near Blenheim today.

[Oscar Thomas]

Great pic as usual Steve, first photo of one in NZ from what I've seen that actually shows the bird's appearance well.

[Amber Calman]

Nice shot! Looked for this bird last time I was in Blenheim, sadly never saw it.

[Neil Fitzgerald]

Nice photo Steve. I only ever managed to get about 3 pixels on it.
Not meaning to take anything away from Steve's photo, Oscar might be interested in having a look at the cracking photos Matt Winter made of this bird back in 2010: http://www.birdingnz.net/forum/viewtopi ... =631#p2689

[Oscar Thomas]

Thanks Neil, very enlightening. Steve if I were to go looking for this bird, where in the valley would be I likely to find it?

[fras444]

How old is this bird now. Is this the same, one and only kite that everyone has been talking about for a while now? Hope he gets some much needed company before he passes on... Has there been many discussion in previous posts inrg to the possibilities and chances of more turning up or why we, "NZ" hasn't had many more of these birds turning up, taking into consideration that we have seen the kestrel many times and not a bird that can be known to be one of the highest soarers in the world???

[Clinton9]

Lifespan of kites properly about 20 or 30 years.

[Neil Fitzgerald]

Thanks Neil, very enlightening. Steve if I were to go looking for this bird, where in the valley would be I likely to find it?

Hey Oscar, there is a map and discussion of the location here: http://www.birdingnz.net/forum/viewtopi ... =631#p2695

How old is this bird now. Is this the same, one and only kite that everyone has been talking about for a while now?

It is generally accepted to be the same bird that has been seen since 13 August 1992 when recorded by N. Dillon. It was (is) accepted as the first record for the species in NZ. It may well have been seen prior to that date but as far as I know it wasn't reported earlier. So that makes it at least 24.

[Grahame]

That's pretty well where we saw it in December last.

[Clinton9]

24 year old if it arrived as a juvenile, less than 1 year old, but might be 25 to 27 year old if adult.
I think its wing moult last from November to late April, @ 6 months.