How to help
New members have new skills. If you would like to take an active role in volunteering work with Friends of Red Kites email us via our "Contact us" page.
Reports via our website Webmail can be followed up. A report of Wing Tag 84 in the Tanfield area agreed with a sighting by another member, who saw it in Causey Gill.
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Image courtesy of Mick Render
Causey Gill is ideal habitat for the kites.
Image courtesy of June Atkinson
Here are two of our members at the Orangery, Gibside, monitoring one windy day.
They were rewarded with a good sighting of a green-tagged kite flying across the fields below.
Courtesy of Mick Render, one of our FoRK members
Important advice for photographers
The Red Kite has a special status along with other birds of prey. According to the Wildlife and Countryside Act of 1981,
Definition of a wild bird
Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, a wild bird is defined as any bird of a species that is resident in or is a visitor to the European Territory of any member state in a wild state.
Basic protection
All birds, their nests and eggs are protected by law and it is thus an offence, with certain exceptions, to intentionally or recklessly disturb any wild bird listed on Schedule 1 while it is nest building, or at a nest containing eggs or young, or disturb the dependent young of such a bird.
Schedule 1 - Part I
Birds and their young, for which it is an offence to intentionally or recklessly disturb at, on or near an 'active' nest. Schedule 1 status also infers a right of arrest by a police officer if someone is suspected of committing certain offences against one of these species.
Fines
The maximum penalty that can be imposed for an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act - in respect of a single bird, nest or egg - is a fine of up to £5,000, and/or six months' imprisonment.
We offer this information now that the birds are becoming more active and establishing their territories within the region. Care should be exercised when trying to photograph any kites. The law states that they must not be disturbed, especially at a nest site.
A session was arranged at Thornley Woods Visitor Centre to welcome Ray Lowden of Kielder Birds of Prey and to provide an opportunity for FoRK members and Thornley Woods Staff to receive training in the management and handling of a bird of prey.
This followed the recent incident when a juvenile kite was discovered by walkers and rehabilitated with the help of the designated local Vet and dedication of Allan Withrington and Judy Summerson, who cared for the kite during the appalling winter weather. Our recent Newsletter has the young kite's story.
ALERT
We have received this information from Helen Olive, who is in the Chilterns. Helen has been actively involved in the care and relocation of young chicks to other areas, including ours.
"This photo, unpleasant as it is, shows the remains of an adult red kite tangled up in discarded twine in a tree.
It is unknown whether the kite picked up the twine from the ground, or whether the twine was already entangled in the tree. This magnificent bird probably suffered a long and painful death whilst trying to set itself free.
I am appealing to those of you who may come across any type of discarded twine or similar, to pick it up and dispose of it in such a way that it doesn't pose a threat to wildlife. "
Helen Olive www.redkites.net
Death of two red kites in Tynedale
Newsflash