Chris Monk
Well-known member
From the RSPB web site:
Blair supports red kite scheme
One of the UK's rarest and most spectacular birds has returned to the skies over north-east England for the first time in more than 150 years.
Six red kites are now soaring in the skies above Gateshead, following their release into the wild at a secret site near the city this on 12 July 2004. These rare birds of prey have now been returned to the area after decades of absence, thanks to a scheme managed by the RSPB and English Nature.
Prime Minister, Tony Blair, sent a personal message of support for the Northern Kites initiative, in which he describes the initiative as 'an imaginative and visionary approach to bringing wildlife to the people of the North East [of England]...
'The project is a real exemplar of sustainable development bringing environmental, economic and social benefits... Now one million people will be able to experience first hand an amazing wildlife spectacle right on their own doorsteps.'
Red kites used to be widespread and common in the UK, but human persecution led to their extinction in England and Scotland by 1870 and 1890 respectively.
Only a few pairs survived in central Wales at the beginning of the 20th century, but because of protection, this population has gradually increased to at least 350 pairs.
The efforts of landowners, gamekeepers and farmers have also been instrumental in the success in England and Scotland and in the steady increase in the Welsh population.
The release of the red kites is part of a ground-breaking conservation project to re-establish a breeding population of the spectacular birds in northern England. The Northern Kites initiative is a world-first in re-introducing the birds into a semi-urban environment near the twin cities of Gateshead and Newcastle.
The kites will be a unique wildlife spectacle - accessible to more than one million local people - and are expected to become an economically valuable new visitor attraction for the region.
The young birds were collected from nests in the Chilterns in June and have been cared for near the release site until they were able to feed themselves and were old enough to take their first flight. That historic moment came when representatives from the Northern Kites partnership prepared to release the first six of 20 birds to be re-introduced into the wild in summer 2004.
Keith Bowey, Northern Kites project manager, said: 'With their rust-red plumage, 5-foot wing span and effortless flight, red kites really are a stunning sight. Although north-east England is well-known for its rich natural heritage, most of the region's most exciting wildlife sights are many miles from where people live and work. [This] release provides a great opportunity to bring spectacular wildlife right to the heart of the region.
'From today, local people will be able to watch the unrivalled grace and beauty of these birds on a daily basis and we are confident that they'll also attract visitors from far and wide to the region.'
The release is the flagship event of the Northern Kites project, led by English Nature and The RSPB in partnership with Gateshead Council, Northumbrian Water, the National Trust and the Forestry Commission, with additional funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund and SITA Environmental Trust.
The partnership has secured nearly £1 million for the reintroduction and intends to provide opportunities for people to see these spectacular birds through a programme of events and special viewing points.
Funding for the project comes from the partners and additional grants have been generously awarded to the project by the Heritage Lottery Fund (£303,500) and SITA Environmental Trust (£150,000). Gateshead Council has pledged £250,000 over 5 years, and Northumbrian Water is donating £15,000 for each of the first two years.
Northern Kites is the fourth and final phase of the English Red Kite Reintroduction Project, which has already helped return red kites to southern and central England and Yorkshire. In 2003, 177 breeding pairs were recorded in the Chilterns - the first reintroduction location - and 16 breeding pairs in Yorkshire, site of the penultimate English reintroduction.
More birds will be released in the Derwent Valley in 2005 and 2006. Breeding is likely within a couple of years and it is hoped that a self-sustaining population will result. Before long red kites could be soaring over Gateshead's MetroCentre and perching on The Angel of the North.
Blair supports red kite scheme
One of the UK's rarest and most spectacular birds has returned to the skies over north-east England for the first time in more than 150 years.
Six red kites are now soaring in the skies above Gateshead, following their release into the wild at a secret site near the city this on 12 July 2004. These rare birds of prey have now been returned to the area after decades of absence, thanks to a scheme managed by the RSPB and English Nature.
Prime Minister, Tony Blair, sent a personal message of support for the Northern Kites initiative, in which he describes the initiative as 'an imaginative and visionary approach to bringing wildlife to the people of the North East [of England]...
'The project is a real exemplar of sustainable development bringing environmental, economic and social benefits... Now one million people will be able to experience first hand an amazing wildlife spectacle right on their own doorsteps.'
Red kites used to be widespread and common in the UK, but human persecution led to their extinction in England and Scotland by 1870 and 1890 respectively.
Only a few pairs survived in central Wales at the beginning of the 20th century, but because of protection, this population has gradually increased to at least 350 pairs.
The efforts of landowners, gamekeepers and farmers have also been instrumental in the success in England and Scotland and in the steady increase in the Welsh population.
The release of the red kites is part of a ground-breaking conservation project to re-establish a breeding population of the spectacular birds in northern England. The Northern Kites initiative is a world-first in re-introducing the birds into a semi-urban environment near the twin cities of Gateshead and Newcastle.
The kites will be a unique wildlife spectacle - accessible to more than one million local people - and are expected to become an economically valuable new visitor attraction for the region.
The young birds were collected from nests in the Chilterns in June and have been cared for near the release site until they were able to feed themselves and were old enough to take their first flight. That historic moment came when representatives from the Northern Kites partnership prepared to release the first six of 20 birds to be re-introduced into the wild in summer 2004.
Keith Bowey, Northern Kites project manager, said: 'With their rust-red plumage, 5-foot wing span and effortless flight, red kites really are a stunning sight. Although north-east England is well-known for its rich natural heritage, most of the region's most exciting wildlife sights are many miles from where people live and work. [This] release provides a great opportunity to bring spectacular wildlife right to the heart of the region.
'From today, local people will be able to watch the unrivalled grace and beauty of these birds on a daily basis and we are confident that they'll also attract visitors from far and wide to the region.'
The release is the flagship event of the Northern Kites project, led by English Nature and The RSPB in partnership with Gateshead Council, Northumbrian Water, the National Trust and the Forestry Commission, with additional funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund and SITA Environmental Trust.
The partnership has secured nearly £1 million for the reintroduction and intends to provide opportunities for people to see these spectacular birds through a programme of events and special viewing points.
Funding for the project comes from the partners and additional grants have been generously awarded to the project by the Heritage Lottery Fund (£303,500) and SITA Environmental Trust (£150,000). Gateshead Council has pledged £250,000 over 5 years, and Northumbrian Water is donating £15,000 for each of the first two years.
Northern Kites is the fourth and final phase of the English Red Kite Reintroduction Project, which has already helped return red kites to southern and central England and Yorkshire. In 2003, 177 breeding pairs were recorded in the Chilterns - the first reintroduction location - and 16 breeding pairs in Yorkshire, site of the penultimate English reintroduction.
More birds will be released in the Derwent Valley in 2005 and 2006. Breeding is likely within a couple of years and it is hoped that a self-sustaining population will result. Before long red kites could be soaring over Gateshead's MetroCentre and perching on The Angel of the North.
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