THE RED KITE IN SHROPSHIRE

Introduction

The Red Kite was last recorded nesting in Shropshire near Ludlow in 1876. Their extinction in England was the result of sustained persecution but a few pairs remained in Wales. However, regular sightings of this attractive raptor in recent years raised hopes that they might return to breed in Shropshire again. Eventually two nests were found in the south Shropshire Hills in 2005, the first known instances of the species breeding in the County since 1876. Incubation at both sites started in late April. Unfortunately, both nests failed – one very early during incubation, and the other much later. It is believed chicks hatched in the second nest, but it is not certain, and failure probably occurred shortly after hatching. The nest failure rate of Welsh Kites is still high, around 40%, particularly amongst birds breeding for the first time, so this outcome was disappointing, but not surprising.

In 2006 birds were seen in the vicinity of both nest sites and one pair finally managed to raise young (see 2006 Report), the second pair probably nested back in Wales. In 2007 six nests were found in south Shropshire and five young were fledged from three of these nests. (see 2007 Report) 

Reports wanted please

Leo Smith is monitoring the spread of Red Kites from Wales into Shropshire for the Welsh Kite Trust (www.welshkitetrust.org), and would be pleased to receive reports of two birds together, or one seen frequently in the same place, especially if it’s near a wood or small copse of large trees. (Contact Leo Smith at Tel: 01588 638577; email:  leo.smith@dsl.pipex.com)

below: Red Kite © Gareth Thomas - not to be published without permission

Background information

Mature pairs nest in late March, but pairs breeding for the first time may not have eggs until mid April, or even early May.  Although the proportion of broods of two or three is slowly increasing, more than half of the successful nests only produce one fledged young, and the average productivity rate is less than one per breeding pair.

Red Kites usually start breeding when they are two or three years old, though some start later, and the average age of first breeding is just below three. Young birds wander widely and cover large distances very quickly whilst foraging for food, so most of these recent local sightings will be due to immature Red Kites. Around one-third die in their first year, but after that the annual survival rate is around 80%, and some birds live to 20 or over. 

Red Kites are the most graceful of Britain’s birds of prey, but they almost became extinct in Britain 100 years ago, through human persecution. Only a few pairs were left in the hills of mid Wales by the early 1930s, and in some years only a single chick was raised. Since then numbers have slowly increased, assisted by a variety of systematic conservation measures, to 30 pairs in 1972, and more rapidly from the mid 1980s, finally reaching 100 pairs by 1993 and an estimated 260 pairs in 2000. The population is now growing much more rapidly, and their range has also expanded from the stronghold in mid Wales, near Tregaron and Rhayader, and there are now several known Welsh nest sites close to the Shropshire border. By 2005 there were around 500 pairs in Wales. A pair has also nested in Herefordshire since 2004 and a second pair bred successfully in 2007. Both these sites are close to the Shropshire border. A few more possible breeding attempts were observed, so the Herefordshire population is increasing as well. The South Shropshire Hills provides excellent breeding habitat, and the County population is expected to grow.

This progress has been overseen by a dedicated group of Kite enthusiasts, who set up The Welsh Kite Trust, in 1996 to continue the work. The Trust has promoted conservation, organised nest protection, and monitored the Red Kite's increase in population and range.

Please remember to report records of two birds together, or one seen frequently in the same place, especially if it’s near a wood or small copse of large trees. (Contact Leo Smith at Tel: 01588 638577; email:  leo.smith@dsl.pipex.com) Any reports we receive will be treated with total and absolute confidence. Red Kites can be shy when nesting and are still at risk from egg collecting so nest sites are kept strictly confidential.

Since 1989 reintroduction programmes have taken place in several parts of England and Scotland, using continental birds and the Welsh Kite Trust is actively supporting a re-introduction programme into southern Ireland, which started in 2007.

Monitoring nests in Shropshire is carried out under license by The Welsh Kite Trust. The Trust promotes conservation, organises nest protection, and monitors the increasing population and range.

You can support this work, and receive a regular, well-produced, newsletter, by joining the Trust. Further information from the Trust Office at “Samaria”, Nantmel, Llandrindod Wells, Powys LD1 6EN, telephone 01597 825981, website www.welshkitetrust.org

or from Leo Smith (01588 638577).

The Trust has produced a beautifully illustrated 48 page booklet, “The Red Kites Of Wales”, with a large number of stunning colour photographs. It provides a full history of conservation and protection, and details of breeding behaviour and nesting success, based on the results of many years hard work. Much of the information in this article has come from the Booklet. It is available from the publisher, Subbuteo Natural History Books (0870 010 9700)  price £4.95 (excluding P & P).

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