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Could you become a red kite champion?

Last modified: 16 November 2009

Kite E from 2009's Northern Ireland release
Kite E from 2009's Northern Ireland release - (RSPB)

Today the RSPB is inviting schools and community groups from across NI to become a Red Kite Champion by adopting their very own red kite.  The wildlife charity has said that there are now 50 red kites in Northern Ireland – and most of them can be adopted.

But why adopt a kite? After all, it spends all its time in the wild and the chances of taking it home with you are nil. 

“Adopting a kite is a very special thing,” said Robert Straughan, RSPB’s Red Kite Officer. “By adopting a kite you are saying that you actively support this magnificent bird of prey and are effectively its champion. This sends out a strong message to everyone – especially those who, through their actions, would compromise the well-being of these birds.”

Last week the RSPB released shocking news that one of the birds released this summer had been poisoned.  The 5-month old red kite was found dead beside a rabbit that was laced with the illegal poison alphachloralose.

“It is extremely sad to lose a bird, especially through something like this which is preventable,” said Robert. “We know that the majority of people love to see red kites in our skies again, and hope that through the Adopt a Kite scheme we can help raise the profile of these fantastic birds and ultimately stamp out unnecessary deaths in the future.”

Robert explained that the scheme was previously only available to schools in Co Down because the birds were first released here.

“However, the red kites are now more than Co Down birds. They have been seen all over Northern Ireland, and further a field, including Sligo and Wicklow. We wanted to give people the opportunity across Northern Ireland to be able to adopt these incredible birds now.”

One of the first kites to be adopted last year was Izzie, so named by P5 at Alison Stanfield, Fair Hill Primary School, Co Down. Class teacher, Alison Stanfield, said of their adopted red kite:

“We loved it and the children got so much out of it. It inspired them to do so much, including creating a talk that they took into retirement homes and contacting their MLA to tell him more about the bird. They were also inspired to do more for other wildlife, like make bird boxes. Adopting Izzie opened a new world for us.”

There are three adoption schemes to choose from. They vary from £50 to £400. Adoptive ‘parents’ will be able to avail of different activities, depending on the scheme selected.

“What remains the same across all the adoption schemes,” said Robert, “is the knowledge that you have done something incredible for our wildlife here. Knowing that these birds once again have the freedom of our skies – and that you are a part of it – truly is a remarkable feeling.”

For more information on how to Adopt a Kite, call the RSPB NI on 02890 491547 or go to www.rspb.org.uk/birdsofprey to find out more..

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