Escaped Black Kite – info request

Knowing that 4 BLACK KITES (1 Asiatic Black-eared and 3 European) have escaped from a damaged aviary at London Zoo (all adults, in perfect flight condition but all DOE ringed with metal rings), it has become very difficult to assess the origins of the three birds recorded in East Anglia this week. It is vaguely possible that all three DO relate to the London Zoo scenario but equally they could all be natural vagrants associated with this week’s SE winds and
arrival of other southern species.

There have been (at least) two different birds in Norfolk and another in Suffolk, the latter frequenting Boyton RSPB reserve for several days. In Norfolk, the two birds were seen together over Salthouse – then one flew west and the other drifted north. The bird that drifted west was seen inland of Cley (by MAG, RM, et al) and then seen drifting over Wiveton Downs and later over Burnham Market. The other bird drifted in over Blakeney Point and was seen by several observers towards Morston over the end of the Point and those observers could look inland and see the bird seen inland of Cley as it headed over Cockthorpe.

I would be most grateful to hear from anyone that gets excellent views of the legs and feet of any of these Black Kites and details of any rings.

I am indebted to Mark Golley and Matthew Deans for information relating to the above occurrences