Yorkshire Wildlife Trust

Yorkshire Red Kites

History

Between 1999 and 2003 a partnership involving Natural England, the RSPB, Harewood Estate and Yorkshire Water released a total of 69 young Red Kites into the county. They were sourced from The Chilterns, where a similar and extremely successful release programme had begun ten years earlier. In December 1999 they were joined by an untagged Red Kite of unknown origin, effectively increasing the total to 70.

The birds were released at Harewood Estate to the north of Leeds. Although Harewood remains their breeding stronghold, they are spreading increasingly widely through the Yorkshire countryside. In 2001 a satellite breeding population became established in the Yorkshire Wolds; when two kites from the 1999 release at Harewood bred successfully – increasing to seven successful pairs raising twelve young by 2008.

Essential to the success of the Yorkshire release programme has been the excellent co-operation received from the ever increasing number of landowners who have Red Kites breeding on their land. Yorkshire Red Kites looks forward to establishing similar good relations in more areas as the birds increase their geographical range.

In 2009 the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust has added its support to Yorkshire Red Kites. As the birds spread further away from the Harewood release site, the monitoring process becomes increasingly dependent on reports of sightings in new areas.

If you see a red kite do report it at www.yorkshireredkites.net