Country diary: A downed pheasant draws quite the scavenging party | Derek Niemann

Sandy, Bedfordshire: Red kites, crows, buzzards and magpies fight it out over a carcass that looks like the Christmas turkey after Boxing DayAn unequal dogfight is taking place over open country at the foot of the ridge. In these midair tussles between a red kite and a carrion crow, the heavyweight never wins. The kite offers no defence against its light, agile opponent, behaving as if it were an unresisting pin cushion. The twisting crow harries the kite persistently, jabbing at wings, back and tail. Eventually, the battered bird tires of its beating and turns with the wind in its wings to be borne well away. And then it comes back.The grass track we follow is on a gentle curve, so there comes a reveal when a kite appears on the path ahead, stood in the middle with its back to me, leaning forward. A crow flies down, dive-bombing, trying to dislodge it. This is not the same kite as before - now hanging low immediately over us - nor is it the same crow. What is the attraction that has drawn four intelligent and highly observant birds to prize this spot? Continue reading...