Northern Ireland Red Kites
Kite E from 2009's Northern Ireland release
Over the past 200 years the UK red kite population dwindled, largely due to human persecution, until only a small population remained in mid-Wales. Since 1989 a number of reintroduction projects have begun to restore the red kite to its former range across the UK. These have successfully led to the re-establishment of breeding populations in these release areas.
During this time the Welsh population has naturally recovered and was estimated at around 900 pairs in 2009.
It is highly likely the red kite occurred as a breeding bird in Northern Ireland until the mid-18th century. Due to the momentum and experience gained from recent successful reintroductions in England and Scotland, the stage was set for this large-scale species recovery project to be rolled out into Ireland in 2007 as it was unlikely that red kites would naturally re-colonise this island in the near future.
Project objectives
- To create a self-sustaining red kite population in Northern Ireland and contribute to attaining a more favourable conservation status for this species
- To raise public awareness about red kites and birds of prey in order to reduce the perceived threat of these birds, especially within the local community where the reintroduction took place
- To inspire people by successfully reintroducing a beautiful bird to a country where it was once lost, and to let people appreciate their splendour once again
Key dates so far
- June 2008: The first collection visit to Wales to collect the donor stock for Northern Ireland Red Kites reintroduction project with partners Welsh Kite Trust and Golden Eagle Trust. A total of 27 kite chicks were collected
- July 2008: All 27 red kites were successfully released into County Down in the first of three years of the release programme. This is the first species reintroduction project ever carried out in Northern Ireland
- July 2009: A further 26 red kites relocated from Wales.
- July 2010: 5 red kites successfully fledge from four nests in County Down. All parent birds were those released in 2008. This is the first time this has happened in over 200 years
- July/August 2010: Final release of 27 red kites takes place.
- June 2011: Phase 2 of Northern Ireland Red Kites begins.
- July 2011: 8 red kite chicks reared from five nests in County Down, including a nest with triplets, another first for Northern Ireland Red Kites.
Work planned or underway
Phase 2 of Northern Ireland Red Kites began at the end of June 2011 and is set to run until June 2014. During this time no further releases are planned, however we will continue to closely monitor the progress of the red kite population in Northern Ireland.
The RSPB also aims to raise the public’s knowledge and awareness of these majestic birds of prey, which will include working with stakeholders, landowners and the general public in the area.
RSPB staff and volunteers will continue to visit schools across Northern Ireland to deliver our exciting education programme, including the adopt a kite scheme.
Adopt a Red Kite Scheme
Don't miss this exciting opportunity to be involved in our extraordinary project! We're inviting schools from across Northern Ireland to 'adopt a kite'. By adopting one of these magnificent birds, the first kites in Northern Ireland for 200 years, you will be giving your red kite the best possible chance of survival.
Each of the red kites has its very own 'identity card', easily seen on the special coloured wing tags. All the birds have radio trackers attached until next spring so you will be able to have a report of where your adopted kite has been!
Adopt a kite for a suggested donation of £50 and you’ll receive the following:
- Your school will be given the opportunity to name your individual kite
- You will receive information and updates on your kite
- You will also receive an adoption pack including a cuddly singing red kite toy and an adoption certificate, your kite's own ID sheet and red kite posters
- Red kite information booklet
or
- A red kite talk lasting about 45 mins and a red kite radio-tracking demonstration for a suggested donation of £50.
Both of the above cost £100
This is a fantastic way to support a local conservation project, which will be apparent for future generations.
If you would like to find out more about adopting a red kite, please contact redkiteni@rspb.org.uk or call 02890 491547.
How can I help?
Report a sighting
If you see a red kite we would be interested to hear about your sighting. Sightings where wing tags are read are most important and helpful to the project, however, sightings of untagged kites or where the tags could not be read are also useful.
Volunteer
If you would like to help Northern Ireland Red Kites by giving up your free time to speak to community groups, help us at events, monitor a pin badge box, collate and input data to spreadsheets or monitor red kites in the field, we’d like to hear from you.
Results
We have successfully released 80 red kites into Northern Irish skies between 2008 and 2010. They have become a familiar sight now and are welcomed by all. Since 2010, 13 red kite chicks have been born in Northern Ireland.
Image gallery
Chick 33 in the nest (RSPB)
Video
Who to contact
Adam McClure
Red Kite Monitoring & Outreach Officer
E-mail: adam.mcclure@rspb.org.uk
Partners
Northern Ireland Red Kites is the first species reintroduction in Northern Ireland and part of an all-Ireland project to bring back these wonderful birds to our shores. Project partners are the Welsh Kite Trust, the Golden Eagle Trust and the RSPB.
Funding
Phase 1 of the project was funded by Ulster Wildlife Trust's Landfill Communities Fund grant scheme provided by Down, Newry and Mourne, and Banbridge Councils and Quinn Environmental Ltd, Ernest Kleinwort Foundation, Garfield Weston Foundation, Heritage Council and DOE.
Phase 2 of the project has been made possible thanks to continued assistance from Newry & Mourne, Down and Banbridge Councils through the Ulster Wildlife Trusts Landfill Community Fund and additional support has been received from NI Electricity and RES Ltd.