Generally these nests are built 10 to 15 m above ground. Their only requirements are large, mature trees in which to build nests. Red kites are a wide-ranging species with a wide habitat tolerance.

( Newton, et al., 1996 Snow and Perrins, 1998) Vagrant birds have been recorded as far north as Finland and south in Israel and Libya. Red kites from northeastern and central Europe migrate further south and west, reaching south to Turkey for the winter season. They are rare kites that are resident in western Europe and northwest Africa. Formerly, these birds of prey also occurred in northern Iran. In Wales, we are grateful to the Welsh Kite Trust who monitor many of the nesting pairs.Milvus milvus is endemic to the western Palearctic region in Europe and northwest Africa. We have also received funding for kite work from LEADER+, and Making Tracks. In Scotland, reintroduction projects have been carried out in collaboration with SNH, Forestry Commission Scotland and the Scottish Raptor Study Groups. In Yorkshire, the release project was a collaboration between the RSPB, EN, Harewood Estate and Yorkshire Water. In the Chilterns red kites are monitored by the Southern England Kite Group, who assist in translocation of birds for other re-introduction areas. In the English Midlands, a public viewing scheme is run at a Forestry Commission England visitor centre. Other partners are Gateshead Council, Northumbrian Water, National Trust and Forestry Commission England and we have funding support from the Heritage Lottery Fund and SITA Environmental Trust. The Gateshead release project ‘Northern Kites’ is run by the RSPB and English Nature. The original re-introduction projects were developed by the RSPB, English Nature and Scottish Natural Heritage. We are working with Police wildlife crime officers to track down those responsible. We believe persecution is the main limiting factor in north Scotland, and we are carrying out a persecution study, using radiotelemetry to identify persecution hot spots.

Here we will be moving a small number of birds over the next five years to a new area to the north-east to hasten recovery of red kites in that area. The population produces lots of young, but fewer survive and so the population has stopped growing. The same number of red kites were released in the Chilterns as in North Scotland between 19, but while the Chilterns population has grown to more than 200 pairs, the north Scottish population has remained at only 35 pairs.

Numerous incidents of illegal poisoning appear to be preventing the population from increasing. In the UK, only in northern Scotland do we have serious concerns about the future. This is particularly welcome as the European red kite population has declined dramatically and is now listed as globally-threatened by the IUCN/BirdLife International. The population in Wales has increased to more than 400 pairs and populations in most of the release areas in Scotland and England are already self-sustaining.

The prospects for red kites in the UK are extremely good, with increasing numbers at most of the release locations. Touring red kite trails have been set up, and enterprising farmers have set up kite-feeding stations which draw high numbers of visitors. Local economies have benefited from ‘kite country’ green tourism initiatives. The children find out that kites are exciting and spectacular birds and share their enthusiasm with family and friends. Support from local residents has been important too and we have often started by visiting schools, inviting children to see kites being released and helping them with associated project work. Most have seen this for themselves, and are now proud to have kites nesting on their land, protecting them and monitoring their success.Ĭhristopher Ussher, resident agent at the Harewood Estate, was quoted in Shooting Times and Country Magazine as saying: ‘Initially we received comments from neighbours about how the birds would affect the estate, but there is no conflict at all.’ It has been important to reassure landowners and gamekeepers that red kites pose no risk to game shooting interests or livestock. The RSPB, together with its partners, has worked hard to ensure local support for the red kite reintroduction projects.

Red kite food