Northern Kites (1 Viewer)

[June Atkinson]

Easy access viewing points

Don't worry too much about this Chris - if nearer the time you can give me your address to my PM box, then I'll send you some great stuff to ensure that you really maximise your enjoyment here in the north-east.
The Derwent Country Park is especially designed with your wife in mind. We both hire the motor scooters to zoom around. The Viewing Site may not be up and running, but there will, hopefully, be plenty to see. The main walk here is along an old railway line so that gives you an idea of the ease of access.
If you fancy it, the Newcastle and Gateshead Quayside is absolutely fantastic for anyone using wheels.........it's all flat all along the banks and there's a lot of choice on how to spend your day. :clap:

Does anyone know if the Kite viewpoints are accessible by someone in a wheelchair? We are hoping to have a week's holiday near Hexham and I would like to take my wife to see the birds in late May.

 

[Mouldy]

Didn't get the chance today but there's a small photo of the Red Kite bus on http://www.gonortheast.co.uk/
and click on the Red Kite logo. Nice.

Cheers

 

[Chris Monk]

Didn't get the chance today but there's a small photo of the Red Kite bus on http://www.gonortheast.co.uk/
and click on the Red Kite logo. Nice.

Cheers

Well spotted Mouldy :clap:

 

[June Atkinson]

News flash Red Kites on buses!

‘Catch the Kite!’

Three years after they were successfully reintroduced to the North East by the Northern Kites Project, the region’s red kite population is set to soar with the arrival of a few new faces. :clap:

Images of the kites are to appear on the side of new buses running from the city centre through the heart of ‘kite country’ in the Derwent Valley. The service will be named The Red Kite in tribute to the spectacular birds which have rapidly become an iconic symbol for the area.

The service, which runs between Newcastle and Consett, was launched by pupils from Rowlands Gill Community Primary and Hookergate Comprehensive, who enjoyed a trip along the route courtesy of bus operator Go North East and the Northern Kites Project. They were joined on route by representatives from the RSPB, Natural England, Northumbrian Water, One NorthEast and Gateshead Council.

The Northern Kites Project is a world first in successfully reintroducing red kites so close to a major urban area. The project is managed by the RSPB and Natural England, working in partnership with Gateshead Council, Northumbrian Water, The National Trust and the Forestry Commission, with additional funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund and SITA Trust.

Red kites were reintroduced to the North East in 2004 by the Northern Kites Project after a gap of over 170 years. Such has been the success of the initiative that over 90 red kites have since been released in Gateshead’s Derwent Valley. The first kite chicks in the North East for almost 200 years were hatched last summer.

Go North East’s new Red Kite buses run past many of the best places to see kites, between Newcastle, MetroCentre, Rowlands Gill and Consett. All vehicles are fitted with the latest emissions technology to ensure the highest environmental standards possible.

Go North East is also planning to provide kite awareness training for bus drivers on the route so they can provide information to passengers.
Keith Bowey at the Northern Kites project said: “This is great news for the kites and for the project. We’re delighted Go North East has chosen to name its bus service after them. They’re wonderful birds and it’s a great feather in the region’s cap that we’ve now got a growing, breeding population on our doorstep."[/I]“One of the aims of the project is to encourage people to see the kites in their natural habitat and discover the other wildlife of the area. The Red Kite bus service will give more people the perfect opportunity to do this. This project shows that business and bio-diversity can go hand-in-hand.”

Martin Harris, commercial director at Go North East said: “The route runs right along the kites’ main habitats and it’s only fitting that we name it after the birds. “When the Northern Kites Project approached us to see if we would name a service after the birds, we were already thinking about the idea, so it’s an ideal arrangement. We’re delighted to be working with them and hope this is just the start of an exciting relationship.”

Cllr. Ian Mearns, Deputy Leader of Gateshead Council said: “The Northern Kites Project has been a terrifically successful – the fastest reintroduction anywhere in the UK. They’re beautiful birds and a real icon and attraction for the area and this will add to their fame.”

For more information about the Red Kite bus service, please visit www.simplygo.com or contact customer services on 0845 60 60 260.

Courtesy of Northern Kites and GoNorth-East

 

[craigthirlwell]

I've followed these birds for a while and i've noticed a few things that have caused me to question a few things.

A few months ago i notice a particular tree in which several kites were 'loafing' prior roost. After the kites left i went over to collect pellets and there was rabbit carcasses in the field. Are the kites being artificially fed in anyway? I know that in previous reintroduction schemes (central scotland) they used food dumps to promote the breeding condition of the females. Is this being repeated with our northern kites?
If not is this part of a plan to have some sort of public feeding station, the likes of argaty farm or gigrin?

 

[JBee]

I've followed these birds for a while and i've noticed a few things that have caused me to question a few things.

A few months ago i notice a particular tree in which several kites were 'loafing' prior roost. After the kites left i went over to collect pellets and there was rabbit carcasses in the field. Are the kites being artificially fed in anyway? I know that in previous reintroduction schemes (central scotland) they used food dumps to promote the breeding condition of the females. Is this being repeated with our northern kites?
If not is this part of a plan to have some sort of public feeding station, the likes of argaty farm or gigrin?

If the field you mention is next to the pub in Barlow then it is a member of the public who lays down the rabbits.

 

[June Atkinson]

Feeding kites query

Unlike both Gigrin and Dumfries&Galloway, where the kites are fed by farmers, our Derwent Valley Kites are not supported in this way.

In the past feeding has been carried out in only two ways:
1. Support feeding on the young chicks' release - for a few days, to help them get established. Thus was always carefully monitored.
2. When a bird had to be taken into rehabilitation, that bird would have been supported briefly on its release. This happened with only two birds, if my memory serves me correctly.

Yes, dead rabbits have been thrown out occasionally onto the field/s, by members of the public, but this is not to be encouraged, obviously. Our kites are doing really well foraging for themselves, and, as I understand it, there is no plan for a feeding station.
Personally I think that feeding them in this way dissuades the kites from working to find their own food, gradually making them dependent on man. Folk report that in both centres in Wales and Scotland, where they are being fed, they just sit in the trees until feeding time!

I've followed these birds for a while and i've noticed a few things that have caused me to question a few things.

A few months ago i notice a particular tree in which several kites were 'loafing' prior roost. After the kites left i went over to collect pellets and there was rabbit carcasses in the field. Are the kites being artificially fed in anyway? I know that in previous reintroduction schemes (central scotland) they used food dumps to promote the breeding condition of the females. Is this being repeated with our northern kites?
If not is this part of a plan to have some sort of public feeding station, the likes of argaty farm or gigrin?

 

[Chris Monk]

‘Catch the Kite!’

Three years after they were successfully reintroduced to the North East by the Northern Kites Project, the region’s red kite population is set to soar with the arrival of a few new faces. :clap:

Images of the kites are to appear on the side of new buses running from the city centre through the heart of ‘kite country’ in the Derwent Valley. The service will be named The Red Kite in tribute to the spectacular birds which have rapidly become an iconic symbol for the area.

The service, which runs between Newcastle and Consett, was launched by pupils from Rowlands Gill Community Primary and Hookergate Comprehensive, who enjoyed a trip along the route courtesy of bus operator Go North East and the Northern Kites Project. They were joined on route by representatives from the RSPB, Natural England, Northumbrian Water, One NorthEast and Gateshead Council.

The Northern Kites Project is a world first in successfully reintroducing red kites so close to a major urban area. The project is managed by the RSPB and Natural England, working in partnership with Gateshead Council, Northumbrian Water, The National Trust and the Forestry Commission, with additional funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund and SITA Trust.

Red kites were reintroduced to the North East in 2004 by the Northern Kites Project after a gap of over 170 years. Such has been the success of the initiative that over 90 red kites have since been released in Gateshead’s Derwent Valley. The first kite chicks in the North East for almost 200 years were hatched last summer.

Go North East’s new Red Kite buses run past many of the best places to see kites, between Newcastle, MetroCentre, Rowlands Gill and Consett. All vehicles are fitted with the latest emissions technology to ensure the highest environmental standards possible.

Go North East is also planning to provide kite awareness training for bus drivers on the route so they can provide information to passengers.
Keith Bowey at the Northern Kites project said: “This is great news for the kites and for the project. We’re delighted Go North East has chosen to name its bus service after them. They’re wonderful birds and it’s a great feather in the region’s cap that we’ve now got a growing, breeding population on our doorstep."[/I]“One of the aims of the project is to encourage people to see the kites in their natural habitat and discover the other wildlife of the area. The Red Kite bus service will give more people the perfect opportunity to do this. This project shows that business and bio-diversity can go hand-in-hand.”

Martin Harris, commercial director at Go North East said: “The route runs right along the kites’ main habitats and it’s only fitting that we name it after the birds. “When the Northern Kites Project approached us to see if we would name a service after the birds, we were already thinking about the idea, so it’s an ideal arrangement. We’re delighted to be working with them and hope this is just the start of an exciting relationship.”

Cllr. Ian Mearns, Deputy Leader of Gateshead Council said: “The Northern Kites Project has been a terrifically successful – the fastest reintroduction anywhere in the UK. They’re beautiful birds and a real icon and attraction for the area and this will add to their fame.”

For more information about the Red Kite bus service, please visit www.simplygo.com or contact customer services on 0845 60 60 260.

Courtesy of Northern Kites and GoNorth-East

http://www.birdguides.com/webzine/article.asp?a=912

Birdguides e-zine article 'Catch the Kite!' :t:

 

[Chris Monk]

Link to 'All things Red Kite' thread

For your information:

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=80204

 

[June Atkinson]

Kite Nesting Season

It's getting quite exciting. Our kites are showing signs of nesting and mating behaviour. Plans are afoot to enable us to see more of our breeding birds, if, when and where they decided to settle and build their nests and lay eggs.

But I'm sure everyone agrees that it is important to safeguard the exact whereabouts of any pair attempting to breed. Please, if you see any mating behaviour or definite copulation between the birds, the Project Team would welcome details, either by e-mail on [email protected] or Tel: 0191 496 1555

It is requested that no specific locations of any breeding pairs are given here on Open Conference, for obvious reasons. We hope to maximise our kites' breeding potential, and to do this we need to protect them.

 

[June Atkinson]

Alert: Red Kite sightings in Northumberland

Sightings have ben reported just north of Kielder, and in the area south of Morpeth.
Some kind gentleman informed the Kite Office of two kites in the Plessey Woods area.

WT25 has since been tracked to the area of Tranwell Woods.

If you do see any nesting behaviour, it is requested that the exact location is kept secret, for obvious reasons. The Project office can be contacted on 0191 496 1555 or by e-mail at [email protected]

So, please keep your eyes and ears open for any of the kites which are dispersing quite widely now. Thank you!

 

[IanF]

Saw four in Teesdale yesterday - two with wing tags - one was pink and yellow and the other probably was but I couldn't see clearly enough for certain. Two had no tags at all - presumeably the young ones from last year. All seen between Egglestone Common and Folly Top.

Two were taking turns playing tag with a Buzzard which seemed to be enjoying the game as much as them.

 

[June Atkinson]

Saw four in Teesdale yesterday - two with wing tags - one was pink and yellow and the other probably was but I couldn't see clearly enough for certain. Two had no tags at all - presumeably the young ones from last year. All seen between Egglestone Common and Folly Top.

Two were taking turns playing tag with a Buzzard which seemed to be enjoying the game as much as them.

Yes, you're right Ian. Pink/yellow is the colour combination for 2004, and the untagged ones would be, as you suggest, the two youngsters.
They have lived and played alongside the buzzards for a long time. In your shots, the wing shapes are clearly distinguishable, and the colours of the kites are beautifully shown. It sounds as though you had a good day out!

 

[white van man]

witnessed 5 red kites at rowlands gill this morning couldnt see any id as had no binos will take them tomorrow as i am woking in the area for a few days

 

[June Atkinson]

Kites at Rowlands Gill

witnessed 5 red kites at rowlands gill this morning couldnt see any id as had no binos will take them tomorrow as i am woking in the area for a few days

Please keep looking; we may see you around tomorrow afternoon, when three of us - Volunteers with NK - are taking the Ponteland U3A Birdwatching group to the various vantage points.

One or two snippets of news:
WT25 has been tracked at Tranwell Woods, and again in the Blyth area.
WT34, which went off to Gigrin, mid-Wales, has decided to come back and is again in the lower Derwent Valley.
The Project Team and Volunteers have been working hard recently, trying to record the territories being set up by our kites. There are possibly eleven territories, fairly widely spread in the area. Watch this space!

 

[June Atkinson]

Ponteland U3A see the kites

Yesterday, the Ponteland Leisure Learning Birdwatching Group braved the elements and, escorted by Ken Sanderson, Judy Summerson and myself, had a very enjoyable afternoon in the lower Derwent Valley.
We met at Thornley Woods Visitor Centre, where we enjoyed the hospitality and a warm venue for the Introductory chat. We then moved off in convoy to Barlow Burn. On arrival we immediately had sightings of two kites.

Patience brings its own reward; after sitting in the cars for ten minutes, one of our 2005 kites came leisurely in from the upper reaches of Barlow Burn. We couldn't have had a more wonderful sighting........ it came swooping down to pick up in the field next to the pub, turning and twisting to give a spectacular display.

We then moved via Garesfield, where we think there is a pair setting up a territory, to Far Pastures. Here again, despite the overcast skies, we saw two pairs above the Sewage Treatment Plant. Although they were at a distance, we still got good views of them.

All in all, despite the poor day, most folk went away, I think, knowing that they can come back and explore further on their own, and also enjoy the Derwent Countryside Park, which has an excellent new brochure, obtainable at the Visitor Centres.

 

[Mickr]

17th March

I managed to get some photographs of up to 5 which seemed to be acting as 2 pairs plus one which didn't really get involved. The photos weren't brilliant due to poor light.

 

[A CHAPLIN]

Hi Folks,

Just to let you know they are on tv Tuesday 27 March see tv diary on BF.

Enjoy

Ann

 

[June Atkinson]

News up-date 26th March 2007

:hi: news - courtesy of Keith Bowey Northern Kites Project Leader


Over 250 people attended kite safaris in mid-March and everybody attending saw kites. Thanks to everybody who helped deliver these fantastic events.

The new kite-branded buses are certainly making a huge visual impact as they drive their route from the centre of Newcastle to Consett, via the Derwent valley. If you have not had a ride on one yet, why not pop along to the MetroCentre or Eldon Square and ‘catch the kite’. (image of bus attached)

Bird News
Unfortunately, we have recently discovered the remains of another dead bird. This bird was found, in late mid-March, long dead, in the upper Derwent valley. Despite this sad news, it is worth noting that our ‘known mortality rate’ is still the lowest of any kite release project in Britain. There appeared to be no suspicious circumstances and the location and situation indicate that the bird might have been the victim of a road traffic accident, but we shall never know.

A recent survey of all of our monitoring information, from November 2006 to March 2007, has revealed that 57 different kites visited Gateshead and/or the lower Derwent valley over this period. A much higher number than we had realised. This demonstrates the importance of the regular monitoring work undertaking by the Northern Kites volunteers.

We have had some outstanding recent information about some of our ‘missing’ birds. P/O 34 has recently returned to Gateshead, having been last record in Wales – as did P/O 33 just a few weeks ago In addition, some of our kites have been doing some very strange things. P/G 72, which wintered in Yorkshire, has recently taken to ‘ping-ponging’ back and forth between Gateshead and Harewood House! Since mid-February, it has been up and down the country on four occasions, and it was in Yorkshire on the 23rd March.

Where to See Birds
Gibside, Lockhaugh, Fellside, Barlow Fell and Barlow, are all still turning up kites – look out for displaying birds!

Up & Coming Activity
April will see very considerable kite monitoring work to try to determine exactly what is happening with the establishment of breeding pairs. To support this, on Saturday 7th and 14th April, volunteers from the local bird clubs will be helping out with a coordinated kite survey to try and find any outlying pairs of kites across the region.

Yesterday, Leonard and I delivered Farmers' packs of Information to ten farms in the Chopwell/Blackhall Mill/Ebchester area. Several farmers reported having seen kites on their land. All were extremely supportive of the Project.
And all the dogs were very friendly! :clap:

 

[salty]

great news.

and the buses are looking great!