Northern Kites - Update 20/09/07

News

Many apologies that you did not receive an email update last month, this was caused by a combination of staff holidays and other commitments for those still around the office.  Hope you didn't miss it too much.  Read on to catch up!

The big news, of course, is the 2007 breeding season summary.  Despite one of the wettest summers on record, at least eleven young red kites have been successfully reared this year by eight pairs of kites.  Fourteen pairs of kites set up initial territories in early spring.  These initial territories translated into eleven serious nesting attempts (in which birds were seen to both copulate and begin to build nests); of these, ten pairs laid and incubated eggs and eight pairs successfully reared at least eleven young.  Nest failures were all attributable to natural causes or accidents.  In addition, four Northern Kites released birds attempted to nest in Yorkshire.  Two of these, 'Speedy' (Wing Tag 1) and 'Scarlet' (Wing Tag 2) fledged four young between them.  Ten of the chicks were ringed and wing-tagged; one was fitted with a backpack radio transmitter.  Schools in the region have already adopted all of these youngsters.

In addition to brilliant red kite breeding results, we have also had fantastic 'people activities' this summer.  Kitewatch 2007 was a huge success.  The final visitor numbers amounted to just under 9500 in nine weeks.  If you want to see more details about the activity, a copy of the Kitewatch 2007 report will soon be available at the Office.  In addition to this, on 29th August, the Red Mall's red kites migrated to MetroCentre's Exhibition Square; where a small army of volunteers and the Project Team made contact with over 1600 people and involved more than 340 families in kite craft activities in one day.  A huge 'Thank you!' to everybody involved in these fantastic activities.

Giedre, our summer volunteer from across the water, has now gone back to Lithuania, to re-commence her studies.  She left behind her a stock of postcards made using one of her photographic images of a baby kite - if any volunteer would like a copy just get in touch with the Office.  Our next informal Volunteers' meeting will be on Monday 1st October, at 11 a.m. (at the Northern Kites Office).  The formal volunteers autumn meeting has been arranged for Thursday 15th November, 7.30 p.m. at the Northern Kites Office.  A letter will be sent out to all volunteers in due course.

Bird News

Post-mortem analysis has indicated that the Northern Kites bird found dead in Northern Scotland earlier this year (P/O27) was the victim of carbofuran poisoning; an investigation to find the guilty party has commenced.  Some of our birds are obviously travelling further afield, as there have been significant reports of numbers of birds in Northumberland.  Keep your eyes peeled please and report all sightings.  Thanks.

Where to See Birds

Birds are still to be seen on a regular basis in all of the usual haunts: Gibside, Lockhaugh, Highfield, Barlow Fell and Barlow.  At this time of the year, look for agricultural activities - ploughing, hay-turning and muck spreading - all of these have attracted numbers of kites recently, particularly in the Fellside Road area, between Whickham and Burnopfield.