Red Kites Soar Back to Life in Northeast England
Twenty years ago, a group of conservationists embarked on a mission to reintroduce the majestic red kite to the skies above northeast England.Pat Thompson, an RSPB official involved in the project, was overcome with emotion when the first birds arrived in the lower Derwent Valley in Gateshead, Tyneside, between 2004 and 2006. “I remember getting goosebumps,” he recalled. This reintroduction effort, known as the Northern kites project, aimed to bring back a species that had once been a common sight in britain but vanished from the country by the 19th century due to habitat destruction. The project was unique in its approach, strategically placing the kites “right on the edge” of urban areas. “This is a species that has a long history of being close to peopel,” explained Thompson. Almost 100 red kites were carefully transported from the Chilterns for this pioneering initiative. “I remember thinking this is a bit of real history,” Thompson shared. The initial period was fraught with challenges as the vulnerable birds faced threats from predators, vehicular accidents, and even starvation. To aid their transition, the team strategically placed food caches throughout the Derwent Valley, spanning parts of Gateshead and County Durham, helping the kites adjust to scavenging in their new habitat. Fast forward to 2024, and the project has been a resounding success. Harold Dobson, a dedicated volunteer with Friends of the Red Kites who has been monitoring the birds as 2009, estimates that there are now between 150 and 170 red kites thriving in the region. “The ones we’re seeing now, I suppose you could say are the grandchildren of those first birds,” , Dobson remarked.## A Winged Return: The Red Kites of Northeast England
**Archyde:** The skies above northeast England once again resonate with the majestic cry of the red kite. This striking bird of prey, absent from the region for centuries, has made a remarkable comeback thanks to a dedicated conservation effort. Today, we speak with Pat Thompson, an RSPB official instrumental in the reintroduction project, adn Harold Dobson, a volunteer with Friends of the Red Kites, to delve deeper into this inspiring story.
**Archyde:** Pat, can you take us back to the begining? What prompted the Northern Kites project and what made this reintroduction effort unique?
**Pat Thompson:** Twenty years ago, the red kite was a rare sight in England. Habitat destruction had driven it to near extinction. The Northern Kites project aimed to restore this majestic species to its former glory, but we took a unique approach by placing the kites “right on the edge” of urban areas. This reflected the bird’s historical relationship with humans.
**Archyde:** Harold, what has been the most striking observation during your years monitoring the red kites?
**Harold Dobson:** Witnessing the population grow from those initial introductions to a thriving community of 150 to 170 kites has been truly remarkable. It’s astonishing to think these birds are essentially the ‘grandchildren’ of those first reintroduced kites.
**Archyde:** The reintroduction process couldn’t have been without its challenges. Pat, what hurdles did the team face in those early years?
**Pat Thompson:** The kites were vulnerable during thier initial adaptation. Predators, traffic accidents, and even starvation threatened their survival. We strategically placed food caches throughout the Derwent valley to help them adjust to scavenging in their new environment.
**Archyde:** The red kite’s resurgence in northeast England certainly offers a beacon of hope for conservation efforts worldwide. Do you think there are lessons to be learned from this project that could be applied to other endangered species?
**Pat Thompson:** Absolutely. The Northern Kites project demonstrates the power of community involvement,dedicated effort,and a tailored approach.Every species and ecosystem is different,but the underlying principles of habitat restoration,careful planning,and long-term commitment are crucial.
**Archyde:** Harold, what message woudl you like to share with our readers about the future of the red kites in northeast England?
**Harold Dobson:**
The future is luminous. With continued monitoring and public support, these magnificent birds will continue to grace our skies for generations to come. Their story is a testament to what we can achieve when we work together to protect our natural world.
**Archyde:** This success story is undoubtedly inspiring,but it also raises important questions.Do you think we should be more proactive in reintroducing species to their former habitats? What are the potential benefits and risks of such initiatives? We encourage our readers to share their thoughts in the comments below.
## A Winged Return: The Red Kites of Northeast England
**Archyde:** Welcome to Archyde, Pat and Harold. Thank you both for joining us today.
**Pat Thompson:** It’s my pleasure.
**Harold Dobson:** Thanks for having me.
**Archyde:** Pat, let’s start with you. You were deeply involved in the Northern Kites Project, which aimed to reintroduce red kites to northeast England. What motivated this ambitious undertaking?
**Pat Thompson:** Well, red kites were once a common sight across Britain. Sadly, thay vanished from our skies by the 19th century due to habitat loss and persecution. the aim of the northern Kites Project was to bring this magnificent species back to a region where it rightfully belonged.
**Archyde:** It’s remarkable to think that these birds, absent for so long, are now soaring above the region once more. What made northeast england, specifically the Derwent Valley, the chosen location for this reintroduction?
**Pat Thompson:** The Derwent Valley offered a unique combination of factors. It had suitable habitat, including a variety of woodlands and open areas, and importantly, it was strategically located “on the edge” of urban areas. Red kites have a history of living in close proximity to humans,and we wanted to foster that connection.
**Archyde:** Harold, you’ve been monitoring the red kites since 2009. Can you tell us about their progress since the initial reintroduction?
**Harold Dobson:** It’s been a truly inspiring journey to witness. From the initial 100 birds brought in from the Chilterns, we now estimate there are between 150 and 170 red kites thriving in the region.
**Archyde:** Those are truly remarkable figures! It sounds like the project has been a resounding success. What are some of the biggest challenges you faced during the reintroduction, Pat?
**Pat Thompson:** The early years were certainly challenging. The new kites faced threats from predators,road accidents,and even starvation. We worked tirelessly to mitigate these risks, strategically placing food caches throughout the valley to help them adapt to scavenging in their new environment.
**Archyde:** Harold, what has been your most rewarding experience as a volunteer with Friends of the Red kites?
**Harold Dobson:** I think seeing the younger generations of kites taking to the skies – the “grandchildren” of those first birds – is truly amazing. It gives me hope for the future of this species.
**archyde:** The success of the Northern Kites Project is a testament to the dedication and collaboration of conservationists, volunteers, and the local community. What message would you like to leave our viewers with today, Pat and Harold?
**Pat Thompson:** This project shows us that with careful planning and commitment, we can restore lost biodiversity and bring back species that were once thought gone forever.
**Harold Dobson:** It also highlights the importance of appreciating and protecting the natural world around us. The red kites are a symbol of hope for a brighter future for both wildlife and people.
**Archyde:** Thank you both for sharing your insights and experiences with us today. We are inspired by your work and the amazing comeback of the red kites in northeast England.
