Red kites are all set to return to their long-lost haunts in Yorkshire this summer, following an announcement today (May 10) by English Nature, the RSPB and Yorkshire Water.
Earlier this year, English Nature and the RSPB, with the support of Yorkshire Water, put forward an ambitious plan to restore red kites to Yorkshire, after their absence as a breeding bird from the county for over a hundred years.
Following the announcement of the plan, the three organisations approached local people to gauge their opinions about the idea.
Today, the organisations announced that following the wide-ranging consultation process, a suitable site on the estate of a major Yorkshire landowner has been identified for the first release of young red kites in the north of England.
However, for reasons of security the exact location of the release site will not be made public until the first birds have been safely released back into the wild, expected to be in July.
Derek Langslow, Chief Executive of English Nature, said: "We were very pleased that so many Yorkshire people took the trouble to respond to our proposals. We listened to a wide range of views and have taken all of them into account before choosing a site within our original area of search.
"We believe that the site chosen offers the best possible prospect for the successful return of red kites to Yorkshire."
Dr Mark Avery, Director of Conservation at the RSPB, said: "We are absolutely delighted that we have been able to find a location which will have the support of a major landowner and the local community, as this is essential to the success of the project. Together with the financial support from Yorkshire Water, this is a tremendous boost for the project."
Alistair Crowle, RSPB Conservation Officer and Kite Project Manager, added: "The area to be made available for the release site is ideal red kite habitat and we are confident that the birds will soon become established in the area. In time, we hope there will be opportunities for people to visit the area and watch these wonderful birds as they fly free over Yorkshire."
The red kite is one of our most beautiful birds of prey and the kite's distinctive flight profile of raked back wings and forked tail was once a familiar sight in the skies over Britain. Persecution took its toll on the kites and ten years ago the breeding population of red kites was restricted to a small area of mid-Wales. Over the past decade, a joint project between English Nature and RSPB has involved the release of young red kites from healthy breeding populations elsewhere in Europe, to suitable areas in England and Scotland. A breeding population is now well established in southern England and northern Scotland.
English Nature, RSPB and Yorkshire Water say that the establishment of a red kite
reintroduction site in Yorkshire this year will be an appropriate way to celebrate the tenth anniversary of a project that has already helped red kites return to areas of the country from which they have been absent.
