15/08/18 - Red Kite release

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.