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Friends of Red Kites - in the North East of England (1 Viewer)

June Atkinson

Well-known member
Friends of Red Kites in the North East of England.
This new Group has been formed, to continue the work begun by the Northern Kites Project, which ends this month.
The Project has left an important legacy and many volunteers felt that the guardianship of the kites should not be abandoned.
We marked the birth of the Group FoRK with a Rolling Launch on Friday 10th July. Go-Northeast gave us a Kite Bus for five hours, and we went first to the Lintzford Garden Centre and then to Gibside where we were given special permission to park the Bus in the car park.
Altogether, we spoke to about 160 people, some of whom elected to become members. It costs £6 for an individual and £8 for a household, regardless of number.
The Membership Secretary is Judy Summerson, 12 Sunnidale, Fellside Park, Whickham, NE16 5TT. We need the talents, energy and interest of those who hold dear the ever-growing kite population. We lost them once before; let's make sure that they survive for the enjoyment and enrichment of the lives of future generations.

Tony Henderson gave us a good write-up in Saturday's Journal.
Image 1- Judy with the Kite Bus, Banner and display. Image 2. Marian and June at the Lintzford Garden Centre.
We are grateful for the support of Go-Northeast, Lintzford Garden Centre and Gibside National Trust. We invite all those who respect the red kite and want to see it thrive to join us!
 

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Friends of Red Kites

Good luck with this latest project June and my your Northern Kites continue to thrive. Good work. :t:

Thank you Joanne. Your post reminds us that our Kites have found fame throughout the UK, just as in all the other re-introductions.

Indeed we have members from Sussex - a couple on holiday - who were present at one of our Launch spots. A while ago, I took out on Safari a couple from Sussex, too!

If you ever venture northwards for a holiday, please get in touch and we'll take you on Safari too!

June
 
Launch of FoRK

Here we are at the Launch of our Group "Friends of Red Kites - in the North East of England"

Membership is steadily growing since we launched at Linztford and Gibside, with the support of Go-Northeast.
We have several events planned for the autumn.

We welcome anyone who would like to join us.

This photo is by Patrick Malone

 

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It's good to hear the Kites aren't going to be forgotten once the reintroduction project closes. A species I always look out for when in the north and west of the County.

Hopefully they'll continue to thrive and become a more regular sighting and more widespread species :t:
 
Congrats on the official launch June, I’m sure you’ll receive plenty of support locally, the official Northern Kites Project may be coming to an end but the kites themselves are thriving hereabouts, so Keith and the team (and all the volunteers of course) should be applauded for leaving the birds in such a healthy position, and it‘s great that so many people like yourself want to carry the work on in some way.

Having been resident at the heart of the project core area since it began, it’s noticeable that kite numbers and activity around the village are increasing all the time as the birds nest all around us and roost in good numbers at sites close by during autumn and winter, but five years on, I and many others still stop in the street to watch them soar overhead, it‘s something you never tire of or take for granted, a privilege in fact.

I picked up a FoRK leaflet at Thornley the other day so will be enrolling the family very soon, so good luck with it all, and I’ll post anything of interest from a locals viewpoint here on the new thread.

Cheers
 
Tesco Banner unveiling

In Rowlands Gill, at about 9a.m. on Thursday, 30th July, the unveiling of the Tesco Mural, created by Alan Mould for Northern Kites, is taking place.

Afterwards, St. Barnabus Church Hall is being made available for coffee and refreshments.

Members of the Friends of Red Kites will be there to offer information about the newly-launched FoRK group, established to continue the monitoring and conservation of our magnificent kite population.

If you are free and able to join us, that would be splendid!
 
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Last chick to be released, C6 flies free

In full view of the media, Northern Kites Staff, Volunteers and members of FoRK, C6 was released on Kitewatch Hill, in the Derwent Country Park.

C6 nearly didn't make it - as a nestling, he fell out of the tree. Indomitable parents Red Philip and Flag, of Viaduct fame, kept feeding their chick. Happily walkers discovered him and after a period of rehab in the pens, C6 had his moment of glory. The sequence of images, taken by David Jones, the Treasurer of FoRK, tells its own story.

FoRK has been established to continue the conservation of these magnificent birds which grace our skies every day. We welcome reports of any sightings throughout the region. Kites have been seen at Druridge Bay, Plessey Woods, Ponteland and Allendale moving westwards in Northumberland, and at Causey Arch in Durham .

On Thursday 30th July, join us for the unveiling of a Banner, created by Alan Mould (Mouldy's Kingdom) at Tesco's in Rowlands Gill, at 9a.m. Coffee and refreshments in the Church Hall just opposite! Come and join in!
 

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Saw the bit on LookNorth about little C6, seems a clever little thing for walking down the path still getting fed by the parents and thankfully then the walkers found him...not so clever for falling out in the first place. I didn't know he was Red Philip and Flags little one...those two have turned out to be really fantastic parents.
 
Lucky C6

Saw the bit on LookNorth about little C6, seems a clever little thing for walking down the path still getting fed by the parents and thankfully then the walkers found him...not so clever for falling out in the first place. I didn't know he was Red Philip and Flags little one...those two have turned out to be really fantastic parents.

Absolutely, Margaret.........they have caught the imagination of everyone who goes along the Derwent Walk. It was fantastic to be there for the release. I was on the telly - well, the back of me was, holding a bright turquoise rucksack!!
 
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Red Kite Mural unveiled

The six-panel mural, depicting aspects of the Red Kites Project was unveiled this morning at Tesco's Store in Rowlands Gill.

This beautiful mural is the creation of Alan Mould, who lives in Kite Country. Keith Bowey, Project Leader, Volunteers, local people and the media were there for the unveiling of the plaque entitled "Spirit of the Valley".

Everyone agrees that these majestic birds lift the spirits of everyone who sees them; Alan has captured the essence of this in his mural, which links scenes of the kites in different places along the Derwent Valley.

Attached are some photos of the ceremony, and one of a passing Red Kite Bus, another example of the support shown by local business, Go North east.

It was a happy occasion, followed by refreshments in the Church Hall across the road. One lady remarked on just having witnessed a wonderful dancing display by a pair of kites above her home.

It was a privilege to be there for this final Event in the history of the Northern Kites Project. Alan's mural will be a lasting testimony and a daily reminder of these glorious birds which grace our northern skies.

The Friends of Red Kites now has a membership of 89. Why not join us and ensure that our kites remain a legacy for generations to come!
 

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Friends of Red Kites growing in number

We are now at 108 members, which is great!

Our Newsletter, being sent out today to every member, has all the recent news and details of forthcoming Events.

Why not come and join us!
[email protected]



Here's Judy at Gibside...............a photo taken by Karen Malone, Friends of Red Kites
 

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Just had first evidence of Autumn roosts gathering pace tonight, nine kites drifted over the village shortly before 8pm, probably from a pre-roost gathering at Sherburn Twrs Farm, heading towards Gibside for the night, (unless they were just going there to see the Voulez Vous concert which was on tonight!)
 
Red Kites in concert

Just had first evidence of Autumn roosts gathering pace tonight, nine kites drifted over the village shortly before 8pm, probably from a pre-roost gathering at Sherburn Twrs Farm, heading towards Gibside for the night, (unless they were just going there to see the Voulez Vous concert which was on tonight!)

Did you not see the promotional advert, Alan?
"Red Kites take centre stage at Voulez Vous Concert at Gibside" :)

We were in the Derwent Caravan Park yesterday, with 7 year-old Sophie, who had a great time in the Playground. We saw three kites gliding above, so perhaps they are beginning to be a little more active.:t:
 
Congratulations on your project June, I hope it continues to thrive. Will keep an eye out in the future and follow your progress.
 
Red Kites for all

Congratulations on your project June, I hope it continues to thrive. Will keep an eye out in the future and follow your progress.

Thanks for your message, Kim. It's early days with our Group, but we're determined to continue the good work achieved in the past five years of Northern Kites Project.

I have sent a personal message to you, Kim. Your website is superb!!
 
Health walks in the company of our Red kites!

Starting this next Monday, 14th September, a series of Walks with a difference.
Different dates, different starting points, earlier start and a chance to meet new friends.
Poster attached gives all the information.
Come along and make yourself known to the rest of the Group!
Everybody welcome!
 

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Red Kite Roost Watch

This is an Event primarily for Members of Friends of Red Kites, but it is also an opportunity for you to come along and join us.
It costs £6 annually for an individual and £8 for a household, regardless of number.
The Membership Secretary is Judy Summerson, 12 Sunnidale, Fellside Park, Whickham, NE16 5TT. We need the talents, energy and interest of those who hold dear the ever-growing kite population. We lost them once before; let's make sure that they survive for the enjoyment and enrichment of the lives of future generations.

ROOST WATCH Monday, 14th September between 5.30pm and dusk - come along to the Bus Stop at the top of Sherburn Towers Estate, Rowlands Gill, to see the beginnings of the Winter Roost.
Recently, our kites have begun to congregate in this area, just as they have done each Autumn since they were first introduced in 2004.

Members of Friends of Red Kites will be there with equipment to help you enjoy this spectacle, and answer any questions you might want to pose.

Come along and join in. Wrap up warmly, and if you have binoculars, please bring them.

Everyone is welcome!


Image of Info Board (Alan Mould's work) and Concrete Kite - at Sherburn Towers Bus Stop

Image of kite flying - courtesy of MickR (Thank you, Mick!)
 

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