Monday 6th February 201211639 viewers have visited our website
A majestic Red Kite in a dive Image courtesy of Mali Halls Birdforum
Between 2004and 2007 the Northern Kites Project re-introduced 94 red kites into the lower Derwent Valley. This Project was unique; whereas the previous ones had been carried out in rural areas, this one brought back the kites to a semi-urban environment, close to the large conglomeration of Gateshead and its neighbour on the north bank of the River Tyne, Newcastle. People can now walk to admire the red kites in the Lower Derwent Valley and yet, in the distance, they can see the silver roof of the Sage Gateshead.
Image courtesy of Steveb BirdForum
It was in 2006 that red kites began to breed in the region for the first time after an absence of 170 years. The core area for the kites is the Lower Derwent Valley but as the population increases they are becoming more widely distributed, and there are now red kites breeding in south-west Durham and Northumberland.
Image courtesy of Max Silverman
Image courtesy of Jamie MacArthur
Image courtesy of Steve Ashton
When the Northern Kites Project finished in July 2009, the Friends of Red Kites group was established.
Go-North East kindly gave the Group a Red Kite Bus for four hours, and we held a rolling Launch at Lintzford Garden Centre and at Gibside. The co-operation and support of Staff was much appreciated.
We hope to continue the superb work of the five-year Northern Kites Project, working to conserve Wildlife, supporting the Economy, working with our local Partners and encouraging People to become the Guardians of these majestic Red Kites, which have established themselves so well in our region.
Our Tynedale Campaign
On 12th March, 2011, Go North-East again kindly gave us a Red Kite Bus for the day and we launched our Tynedale Campaign in Wentworth Car Park, Hexham. Our Campaign Think Kite - Act Right was launched by the Mayor of Hexham, Terry Jones.
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