Red Kite decline in Europe (1 Viewer)

Resolution
on the protection of Red Kite
Milvus milvus in Europe


The Red Kite has amongst all European birds of prey one of the smallest ranges. The core area is in Germany, which holds 60 % of the world population. Important parts of the Red Kite population are wintering in Spain.

Whilst the species is protected by CITES and European Union directives (notably the EU Birds Directive 79/409) it is severely threatened by local activities in the wintering and migration areas of the South West Mediterran. At this time hundreds of Red Kites are annually poisoned or shot in Spain. We appeal to the Spanish Government and to the European Commission in Brussels to take action against this slaughter and to impose the severest sanctions.

The 159 participants of the 5. International Conference in Meisdorf (Germany) on “Population Ecology of Raptors and Owls” 24.10. - 27.10.2002, appeal to the above-named authorities and to international and national conservation organizations to improve the protection of The Red Kite and other birds of prey.

Birds of prey are the key indicators of a healthy environment !

This declaration is signed on behalf of all of the participants of the conference by



Prof. Dr. M. Stubbe Prof. Dr. B.-U. Meyburg
Martin-Luther-University President of the World
Halle-Wittenberg Working Group on Birds of Prey and Owls

Meisdorf/Germany, 26th of October 2002

Dear all,

in various articles it has been described that the Red Kite Milvus milvus is
in trouble. The species has declined in most of its breeding range in recent
years. In France activities have been started to change this trend, but
international cooperation is needed to achieve this.

I propose a meeting of interested persons during the forthcomming raptor
world conference in Budapest in May to discuss this problem and would
appreciate it if anybody interested could identify himself and let me know
if he would be willing to contribute by reporting about the status,
population changes, management activities etc. in his region.

Last year a resolution had been passed at an international raptor meeting
aiming at a better protection in Spain which I attach. Again any hints on
how this could be achieved would be greately appreciated.

Best wishes,

Bernd Meyburg
<A HREF="mailto:[email protected]">
[email protected]</A>
<A HREF="www.Raptors-International.de">www.Raptors-International.de</A>
<A HREF="www.raptor-research.de">www.Raptor-Research.de</A>

Hi Chris,
It's strange to hear that Red Kites are in trouble,as it's customary to hear about the recent success story in the UK.For this reason alone it's a timely reminder that there are threats to the species elsewhere.Hope that the species recovers,and that the success in the UK continues(hopefully accompanied by recolonisation of Ireland!).
Harry

Have you come across this book?

The Red Kite

Ian Carter

Illustrated by Dan Powell and containing a series of colour photographs,
this book on one of Europe's most elegant birds follows Roger Lovegrove's
'The Kites Tale' and updates the story. From the struggles to maintain a
native population in Wales the book gets right up-to-date.

Arlequin Press. Hardback;187pp.Illustrations, photos, tables and figures.

£22.50

ISBN: 1 900159 61 9

I have a personal interest as I collated the figures for the status section and table, together with data for other sections from the database of sightings in the English Midlands region I maintained

Hi Chris,
Have seen it(a friend of mine has a copy):sent you some information on the past and present status of the species here in Ireland back when it was being written.
Harry

So you did Harry, my memory is getting worse!

Cheers,
ChrisB B

Try this link for a good wallpaper of a Kite:

http://home.wanadoo.nl/r.goedegebuur/plaatjes/rodewouwp1.html

Try these web sites:

http://www.english-nature.org.uk/redkite/default.asp

http://www.gigrin.co.uk/w/

http://www.chilternsaonb.org/


Have you come across this book?

The Red Kite

Ian Carter

Illustrated by Dan Powell and containing a series of colour photographs,
this book on one of Europe's most elegant birds follows Roger Lovegrove's
'The Kites Tale' and updates the story. From the struggles to maintain a
native population in Wales the book gets right up-to-date.

Arlequin Press. Hardback;187pp.Illustrations, photos, tables and figures.

£22.50

ISBN: 1 900159 61 9

Best wishes,
Chris Monk