Flag & Philip, A Tale of True Love the Derwent valley. By May 2005, the
Of all of the kite ‘soap operas’, the story pair was noted defending a territory in
of Flag and Red Philip proved the most the Barlow Burn, although nothing came
enduring and indeed, endearing. These of this early breeding behaviour. In July,
birds were truly ‘childhood sweethearts’ Flag appeared to have the travel bug and
having hatched in nests just 2.5km she was tracked to Yorkshire, but after
apart from each other in the Chilterns. three months apart, in September, the
They were transported to Gateshead birds were reunited back in Gateshead,
together in the same carrying case, where they have remained ever since.
housed in the same aviary at Gibside In 2006, the story of these two kites got
and fi nally released at the same time even better, as they nested successfully
in July 2004. Throughout the autumn in the Derwent valley, rearing the region’s
of 2004 and spring of 2005, with the fi rst red kite baby, Geordie, in over 170
exception of some exploratory journeys years. In every year since, they have
by Red Philip to Stanley, the kites were successfully raised chicks, becoming
seen together in the Barlow Burn and
grandparents in 2008.
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