![]() BBS sightings have shown a steep rise since 1995. Introduced birds and their offspring wander widely across Britain and Ireland but, as yet, pairs have been slow to set up breeding sites distant from the release areas ( Balmer et al. Orros & Fellowes 2014, 2015) or the development of a well-established communal roost. ![]() Each of these centres has given rise to a productive breeding group, in some cases benefiting from large-scale provision of food (e.g. Further releases were begun in Northamptonshire in 1995, central Scotland in 1996, Yorkshire in 1999, Dumfries & Galloway in 2001, northeast England in 2004, Aberdeen in 2007 and County Down in 2008. Successful breeding populations quickly established in both areas. As a step towards restoring the original breeding range, birds were introduced in 1989 into the Chilterns (Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire) and into the Black Isle in Easter Ross ( Evans & Pienkowski 1991). Most birds were descended from a single female that had continued to breed successfully during the population bottleneck ( Carter 2001). Through careful husbandry organised by a 'Kite Committee' of local conservationists and landowners, including RSPB bounties paid to farmers for successful nests during 1922-90, the Welsh population rose to 100 pairs by 1993. There are now thought to be around 2,700 breeding pairs across the UK.Red Kite was historically widespread across Britain but, following widespread persecution, fewer than ten breeding pairs remained by the 1930s and 1940s, concentrated into a small area of mid Wales. However, in 1989 reintroduction programme in the Chiltern Hills has seen them return as a widespread British bird of prey. But following centuries of persecution, only one or two pairs survived in Wales by the 1930s. Red kites were once a common and impressive sight over medieval towns, where they were welcomed as they helped keep the streets free of rotting dead animals. "The success of the species in the UK means we may now act as a lifeboat for red kites, as numbers in their European strongholds are in decline." Reintroduction He added: "Red kites are a beautiful and charismatic species, and it should be a cause for great celebration that their reintroduction has gone so well. Professor Fellowes said it was possible feeding had helped to boost the birds’ breeding success and increased their chances of surviving periods of cold or wet winter weather, which made finding food in the wild difficult, but added further research would be needed to confirm this. ![]() There have also been some reports of birds swooping into gardens to steal food from picnics or barbecues.īut this latest research suggests that in Reading up to 300 kites each day are drawn in by the food left out deliberately by people. Some conservation groups have asked people not to feed the kites, arguing the birds can find enough food in the wild without having to depend on handouts from humans. "The birds seem to be commuting into the town each day from the surrounding countryside for a meal."Ī Red Kite taken by Mark Fellowes Controversialįeeding red kites is controversial. "What we found was that people in Reading are providing enough food to provide the daily food needs for hundreds of red kites. "People had assumed waste food and road kill attracted them, but very little of this is actually available as our modern towns are remarkably clean. Professor Mark Fellowes, the University of Reading ecologist who supervised the study, said: "There are very few nesting or natural feeding sites in suburban areas, but we know that hundreds of red kites visit Reading every day. Bird and butterfly species could disappear due to lack of habitat and climate change.Instead up to 300 birds, which have a 1.75m wingspan, fly into Reading from their countryside habitats each day to eat. Hundreds of spectacular birds of prey are "commuting" into Reading each day to receive food handouts, according to researchers.Īlmost one in 20 Reading households, the equivalent of more than 4,300 homes, regularly feed red kites meaning the extraordinary birds travel into town for food.Īccording to the research, carried out by scientists at the University of Reading, there are not many red kite nesting sites in the town.
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