The elegant Black-winged Kite has achieved a remarkable milestone this year, with confirmed breeding records in both Denmark and Hungary for the very first time. These events mark a significant step in the species’ ongoing northward and eastward expansion across Europe.

In Hungary, a pair successfully nested in the south-east of the country. From a clutch of four eggs, two chicks hatched and fledged, marking a historic first for Hungarian ornithology. The pair’s activities were closely monitored and documented by local birdwatchers and researchers, adding valuable insight into the species’ breeding behaviour in this new region. Once considered a rare visitor to Hungary, this successful nesting confirms how far the Black-winged Kite has extended its range in just a few short decades.

Northern Expansion Continues

Further north, the species has now reached Denmark, where a pair was observed in central Jutland exhibiting clear nesting behaviour — including nest-building and mating — during September. This represents the first confirmed breeding attempt for the country. However, Danish birders have expressed concern about the timing of this late-season attempt, as any young birds may face harsh conditions heading into winter.

A Growing Presence in Western Europe

The Black-winged Kite’s steady expansion continues to bring it ever closer to Britain. The UK’s second-ever record occurred as recently as August 2025, when one was seen in Gloucestershire, following the first British record in 2023, a bird that travelled from Powys across Norfolk, Suffolk, and Essex. Another individual reached Alderney in the Channel Islands in late July 2025, further demonstrating the species’ increasing tendency to wander north.

Once confined to Iberia, North Africa, and parts of Asia, the Black-winged Kite is now widespread across southern Europe and pushing rapidly into central and northern regions. Many observers believe it’s only a matter of time before the species establishes itself as a breeding bird in Britain.

So, with this momentum in mind — who wants to take a guess where, and when, the first Lincolnshire Black-winged Kite will be found?

Photo; The Black-winged Kite chicks in their nest in Hungary in summer 2025 (Éva Horváth).