The wonderful and talented Jean Thorpe has
done it again - this time she’s worked her magic on a juvenile Red Kite, which
was found downed and hugely underweight - perhaps struggling during its first
few days/weeks of independence, to find enough food during the prolonged dry
and hot weather. Red Kites are magnificent and graceful birds of prey, and are
unmistakable with their reddish-brown body, angled wings and deeply forked tail.
They were once confined to fewer than 50 pairs in central Wales, until being
re-introduced during the 1990’s to several areas in England and Scotland. Following
a release in Yorkshire, at Harewood House, birds have increased in number and
range across the county. This year four pairs have been present around the
valley during the summer, with at least two pairs producing young.
This individual, having been gently
rehydrated and subsequently fed up to gain weight and body condition by Jean,
was released at the southern end of the NNR, in an area
which has been attracting two or three non-breeding kites recently – indicating
a suitable area with good and safe feeding opportunities. Despite the dry
conditions, the damper ground of the Ings meadows are still supporting good
numbers of accessible frogs and worms as well as the usual prey items Red Kites
will take advantage of with their opportunistic nature. It was a real
privilege to watch such a beautiful bird take to the air and return to the wild
having been on the very edge of starvation – a real success story and another
job well done for Jean’s tireless efforts. We’re delighted to be able to
work alongside Jean and are so proud of the outstanding work she does.
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