The East Midlands Red Kite project.

Over the last twenty years or so a dedicated band of volunteer helpers have re-introduced, monitored, tagged and recorded the success of breeding attempts by Red Kites in the East Midlands, the seventy birds originally released between 1995 and 1998 were sourced from Spain. 

Two such people are Steve and Julie Thornton from Kettering who tell me that there are now thought to be about 300 pairs in the East Midlands, a figure of 200 pairs was originally believed to be that necessary to guarantee the future of the species in the region. 

The project has been so successful that the birds are no longer tagged and monitoring now comprises of nest and where possible fledgeling counts.

Ninety birds from the East Midlands have in recent years been used  to support the reintroduction of the species in the Lake district and twenty were donated to the Aberdeen release programme. 

Anyone who has seen this majestic bird in flight with its languid wing flapping or as it effortlessly glides overhead using its flexible v-shaped tail like a rudder to change direction can not fail to be impressed by its aerial skills and visual beauty.