Red Kite
Reintroductions
The young red kites used for
the re-introduction to the North
East of England originated
from the thriving English
population that is now centred
on the Chilterns in the Home
Counties. From 2004 to 2006,
single birds were taken from
successful nests with multiple
chicks, at three to four weeks
old. These were transported
(under Government licence) to The fi rst kites returned to the North East, 2004
the North East, where they were
reared in aviaries located in the
National Trust’s Gibside Estate
and Northumbrian Water’s
Lockhaugh Sewage Treatment
Works, until they were ready
to be released at around eight
weeks old. All birds released
Wing Tags
carried metal leg rings and
The colour of each
were marked with individually
kite’s left wing tag indicates
numbered, coloured plastic
the kite project area (pink for
wing-tags. Each kite released
Northern Kites). The right wing
also wore a radio transmitter,
tag indicates the year of release or
fi tted as a backpack, snugly
rearing, i.e. yellow for 2004, orange
amongst the bird’s feathers.
for 2005, and green for 2006. Birds
By monitoring frequencies and
‘born’ in the North East from 2006
wing tag observations, the bird’s
onwards have been similarly
movements were tracked and
tagged, where possible. Year
their welfare monitored. Ninety-
codes were, purple for 2007,
four kites were released in
black for 2008 and
Gateshead between 2004 and
pink for 2009.
2006 (20 in 2004, 41 in 2005 and
33 in 2006).
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