![]() ![]() Although they are protected by law, their reputation as predators persists and some are illegally poisoned. Threats to the Red Kiteĭespite their successful reintroduction through most parts of the UK, red kites still face significant threats and remain on the ‘amber list’ indicating that they are of medium conservation concern. A red kite trail at Loch Ken in Galloway, with outdoor viewing points, walks, hides and a visitor centre with CCTV coverage of the birdsA red kite feeding station at Argaty in StirlingshireA dedicated viewing facility which has recently opened at Brahan, near Dingwall.Red kites can be seen in many places throughout the UK and there are specific trails and visitor facilities available in Scotland. In Scotland the reintroduction took place in 1989-94 on the Black Isle 1996-2001 in Stirlingshire and 2001-05 in Dumfries and Galloway. In 1989, partnerships between the RSPB and the national conservation agencies in England, Wales and Scotland were established with the aim of reintroducing the birds to their former range. The plight of these beautiful birds didn’t escape the notice of conservation organisations. While the breed somehow hung on in Wales, the latest record of nesting red kites in Scotland was in 1917. Although the Scottish Raptor Group indicates that some attempts were made to sustain the Scottish population, these took place in the later nineteenth century and were ultimately unsuccessful. The birds’ beauty also made them an attractive target for taxidermists. During the sixteenth century the birds were regarded as vermin and were subsequently shot as a threat to agriculture (it was feared that they would attack livestock) and, on sporting estates, as a threat to game birds. Though a predator it is not a significant one, but its looks and its habit of scavenging have historically brought the species a bad reputation. The red kite has had unfortunate history. Reintroduction of the Red Kite into Scotland They lack the strength to catch and kill anything larger than small mammals such as rats or voles (though they will take birds and worms) and so tend to exist mainly on carrion, sometimes taking the leavings from larger birds of prey. Unlike some of the larger birds of prey, and despite their reputation as a threat to livestock, red kites are mostly scavengers rather than hunters. Typically, a clutch of up to four eggs is produced and cared for by the female, with the male patrolling nearby to see off predators such as crows, which seek the eggs. Nests, built of twigs and situated 12-20m up in trees, are made of twigs and lined with softer material such as grass, moss or even sheep’s wool. The birds are largely monogamous, sharing the task of nest-building. In Europe red kites migrate south in winter in search of warm weather, but in the more temperate climate of the British Isles they remain on the same range all year. Red kites are relatively rare, having a limited geographical range which is mainly confined to Europe, where there is estimated to be a population of 20-23,000 breeding pairs (Arkive). Its plumage is an attractive reddish-brown, with distinctive white patches under the wings, and the birds are easily identified in flight by their distinctive forked tails. Relatively small in size (at 60cm long and with a wingspan of 170 cm it is significantly smaller than a golden eagle) it is a graceful and agile flier. The red kite (Latin name Milvus milvus) is among the most striking and majestic birds of prey. Conservation organisations have come together to promote a successful revival. These beautiful birds were hunted to extinction in Scotland and elsewhere in the British Isles, with only a few pairs surviving in Wales. The visions of a red kite floating majestically on the wind over forests or valleys is not easily forgotten by anyone who has seen it. ![]()
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