Birb

[Carruthers]

Birbiplane...

Two red kites look rather like a biplane in a picture by amateur photographer Wayne Lewis that captured them flying in formation at Bwlch Nant-Yr-Arian feeding station, near the village of Ponterwyd in Aberystwyth, Wales.

The native Red Kite population was persecuted almost to extinction in the 19th century and just a small number were left in mid-Wales.

Since then a local re-introduction project has increased the numbers substantially and they are now a frequent sight hereabouts.

We had one land in the front garden a few years ago and occasionally they settle in the tall trees behind the house.

Sadly, I found one bird that had flown into a power cable and severed a wing.

I took the poor soul to a nearby wildlife hospital and they were hopeful that it would survive in captivity as the point where the wing was severed is the point used in amputation and doesn't bleed too badly.

Unfortunately, it succumbed about a fortnight later.