Individual histories of red kites in the north east of England

The data and records between 2004 and July 2009 have been supplied by Northern Kites. During this period a lot of information on the kites was collected. The reason for this was that the red kites had radio transmitters fitted to them which made it much easier to track and identify them. To gather information on individual kites the Friends of Red Kites monitoring teams have to rely on visual sightings using telescopes and binoculars. The best time to do this is during spring when birds are preparing to breed, and at the autumn/winter roost.

Northern Kites released 20 kites in 2004, 41 kites in 2005 and 33 kites in 2006. Three kites were born in 2006, the first year of breeding. Since 2006 a further one hundred and one red kites have fledged in the wild, with the total number of juveniles that have been wing tagged standing at fifty birds.

To read their individual histories, click on the relevant section, which will  enable you to find the required details.

Kites born in 2011 (Wing tags E3 - F1)

Kites born in 2010 (Wing tags D0 - E2)

Kites born in 2009 (Wing tags C3 - C6)

Kites born in 2008 (Wing tags B2 - C2)

Kites born in 2007 (A0 - B1+ R/PT2)

Kites released in 2006 (Wing tags 61 - 95 +O/G1)

Kites released in 2005 (Wing tags 21 - 45) 

Kites released in 2005 (Wing tags 46 - 60)

Kites released in 2004 (Wing tags 1 - 20)

 

 Kites born in 2011 (Wing tags  E3 - F1)

Kite No:

E3

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / White

Kite Name:

No name given

Born:

2011 Beda Hills, Gateshead

Male/Female:

Unknown

Parents:

Father- WT56 Burndide Red Arrow / Mother- WT38 Harlow Harrier

Befriend a Kite School:

 

Brief Summary:

When WTE3 was tagged, the nest was found in an Oak tree. WTE3 can only be identified by a visual sighting. WTE3 was seen flying near the nest territory in July 2011

Latest Sighting:

16/01/2012 - seen feeding with three other juveniles at the bottom of Lintzford Lane.

 

 

Kite No:

E4

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / White

Kite Name:

No name given

Born:

2011 Gibside, Gateshead

Male/Female:

Unknown

Parents:

Father- WT C1 Angel / Mother- WT60 Welbeck Whistler

Befriend a Kite School:

 

Brief Summary:

When WTE4 was tagged, along with sibling WTE5, the nest was found in an Scots pine. WTE4 can only be identified by a visual sighting.

WTE4 has been seen in the area in August and October, and also at the winter pre-roost at Hollinside Manor.

December 2011 - Identified on three occasions at pre roost near Hollinside Manor, GatesheaD

 

Latest Sighting:

30/01/2012 -Identified at pre roost, Hollinside Manor


 

 

Kite No:

E5

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / White

Kite Name:

No name given

Born:

2011 Gibside, Gateshead

Male/Female:

Unknown

Parents:

Father- WT C1 Angel / Mother- WT60 Welbeck Whistler

Befriend a Kite School:

 

Brief Summary:

When WTE5 was tagged, along with sibling WTE4, the nest was found in an Scots pine. WTE5 can only be identified by a visual sighting. There have been no sightings since.

Latest Sighting:

June 2011 - Gibside, Gateshead - at tagging

 

 

Kite No:

E6

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / White

Kite Name:

No name given

Born:

2011 Derwent Park, Gateshead

Male/Female:

Unknown

Parents:

Father- WT76 Chester / Mother- WT32 Red Arrow

Befriend a Kite School:

 

Brief Summary:

When WTE6 was tagged, along with sibling WTE7, the nest was found in a Cherry tree. WTE6 can only be identified by a visual sighting. WTE6 has recently been seen at the winter roost at Snipes Dene, Gibside.

Latest Sighting:

October 2011 - Snipes Dene, Gibside, Gateshead

 

 

Kite No:

E7

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / White

Kite Name:

No name given

Born:

2011 Derwent Park, Gateshead

Male/Female:

Unknown

Parents:

Father- WT76 Chester / Mother- WT32 Red Arrow

Befriend a Kite School:

 

Brief Summary:

When WTE7 was tagged, along with sibling WTE6, the nest was found in a Cherry tree. WTE7 can only be identified by a visual sighting.

WTE7 has been seen in the local area since fledging, and also at the winter pre-roosts at Hollinside Manor. November 2011 - Hollinside Manor, Gateshead

Latest Sighting:

November 2011 - Hollinside Manor, Gateshead

 

 

Kite No:

E8

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / White

Kite Name:

No name given

Born:

2011 Derwent Park, Gateshead

Male/Female:

Unknown

Parents:

Father- WT15 Red Philip / Mother- WT43 Swift

Befriend a Kite School:

 

Brief Summary:

When WTE8 was tagged, along with sibling WTE9 and a third untagged chick, the nest, in a Sycamore tree, was found to contain the head of a toy bear as decoration. WTE8 can only be identified by a visual sighting.

WTE8 has since been seen regularly at the winter roosts and pre-roosts at Gibside and Hollinside Manor.

23/01/2012 -seen feeding on dead rabbit with Fo at the bottom of Lintzford Lane.

Latest Sighting:

27/03/2012- seen feeding with F1 at eastern side of Beda Hills.

 

 

Kite No:

E9

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / White

Kite Name:

No name given

Born:

2011 Derwent Park, Gateshead

Male/Female:

Unknown

Parents:

Father- WT15 Red Philip / Mother- WT43 Swift

Befriend a Kite School:

 

Brief Summary:

When WTE9 was tagged, along with sibling WTE8 and a third untagged chick, the nest, in a Sycamore tree, was found to contain the head of a toy bear as decoration. WTE9 can only be identified by a visual sighting. WTE9 has been seen in the local area since fledging, and also at the winter pre-roosts at Hollinside Manor.

30th December 2011 - Perched with "mam"(WT43), near natal site at Paddock Hill, Derwent Country Park, Gateshead.

Latest Sighting

30/01/2012 - noted with parents WT15 & Wt43 + siblings E9 and untagged juvenile at Paddock Hill in the Derwent Country Park.


 

 

Kite No:

F0

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / White

Kite Name:

No name given

Born:

2011 Causey, Co Durham

Male/Female:

Unknown

Parents:

Father- WT84 Shiver / Mother- WT R/P T2

Befriend a Kite School:

 

Brief Summary:

When WTF0 was tagged, along with sibling WTF1 and a third untagged chick, the nest was found in a Sycamore tree. WTF0's mother is a 2007 kite from the mid Scotland project, her wing tags are Red and Purple. WTF0 can only be identified by a visual sighting.

WTF0 had been seen at the winter pre-roost at Hollinside Manor in November.

Latest Sighting:

23/01/2012 - seen feeding on dead rabbit with E8 at the bottom of Lintzford Lane.

 

 

Kite No:

F1

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / White

Kite Name:

No name given

Born:

2011 Causey, Co Durham

Male/Female:

Unknown

Parents:

Father- WT84 Shiver / Mother- WT R/P T2

Befriend a Kite School:

 

Brief Summary:

When WTF1 was tagged, along with sibling WTF0 and a third untagged chick, the nest was found in a Sycamore tree. WTF1's mother is a 2007 kite from the mid Scotland project, her wing tags are Red and Purple. WTF1 can only be identified by a visual sighting.

WTF1 has since been seen at the winter pre-roost at Hollinside Manor.

12th December 2011 - Perched on pylon near Hollinside Manor, Gateshead.

30/01/2012 - observed at pre roost, near Hollinside Manor.

10/03/2012 -  noted feeding with E8 on the eastern side of Beda Hills, Highfield.

 

Latest Sighting:

27/03/2012 - again, noted feeding with E8 on the eastern side of Beda Hills, Highfield.


 

Kites born in 2010 (Wing tags D0 - E2)

Kite No:

D0

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Mid Blue

Kite Name:

Yoko

Born:

2010 Priestfield, Co Durham

Male/Female:

Unknown

Parents:

Father- WT A7 Icarus / Mother- WT B0 Excalibur

Befriend a Kite School:

Hexham Middle School, Hexham, Northumberland

Brief Summary:

When WTD0 was tagged, along with siblings WTD1 and WTD2, the nest, in an Oak tree, was found to contain half a white pvc glove as decoration. WTD0 can only be identified by a visual sighting.

Yoko was seen at Beda Hills, Gateshead in January 2011 with WT 56 Harlow Harrier & 38 Burnside Red Arrow on their territory, and with an untagged juvenile.

Latest Sighting:

January 2011 - Beda Hills, Gateshead

 

 

Kite No:

D1

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Mid Blue

Kite Name:

No name given

Born:

2010 Priestfield, Co Durham

Male/Female:

Unknown

Parents:

Father- WT A7 Icarus / Mother- WT B0 Excalibur

Befriend a Kite School:

 

Brief Summary:

When WTD1 was tagged, along with siblings WTD0 and WTD2, the nest, in an Oak tree, was found to contain half a white pvc glove as decoration. WTD1 can only be identified by a visual sighting.

After no sightings for over a year, WTD1 was recently seen at the winter pre-roost at Hollinside Manor.

Latest Sighting:

November 2011 - Hollinside Manor, Gateshead

 

 

Kite No:

D2

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Mid Blue

Kite Name:

No name given

Born:

2010 Priestfield, Co Durham

Male/Female:

Unknown

Parents:

Father- WT A7 Icarus / Mother- WT B0 Excalibur

Befriend a Kite School:

 

Brief Summary:

When WTD2 was tagged, along with siblings WTD0 and WTD1, the nest, in an Oak tree, was found to contain half a white pvc glove as decoration. WTD2 can only be identified by a visual sighting.

WTD2 was recorded at the winter pre-roost at Hollinside Manor in November 2010.

Latest Sighting:

November 2010 - Hollinside Manor, Gateshead

 

 

Kite No:

D3

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Mid Blue

Kite Name:

No name given

Born:

2010 Beda Hills, Gateshead

Male/Female:

Unknown

Parents:

Father- WT56 Burnside Red Arrow / Mother- WT38 Harlow Harrier

Befriend a Kite School:

 

Brief Summary:

When WTD3 was tagged, the nest, in an Oak tree, was found to contain a white woolly hat with blue lines, as decoration. WTD3 can only be identified by a visual sighting. There have been no sightings since.

Latest Sighting:

June 2010 - Beda Hills, Gateshead - at tagging

 

 

Kite No:

D4

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Mid Blue

Kite Name:

Zola

Born:

2010 Derwent Park, Gateshead

Male/Female:

Unknown

Parents:

Father- Unknown / Mother- Unknown

Befriend a Kite School:

Ebchester C of E Primary School, Consett, Co Durham

Brief Summary:

When WTD4 was tagged, along with sibling WTD5, the nest, in a Scots Pine, was found to contain a brown jumper and a pair of tights as decoration. WTD4 can only be identified by a visual sighting.

Zola has been seen on several occasions in both November 2010 and January 2011 at the main winter roost site near Hollinside Manor and pre-roosting at Paddock Hill and Gibside.

Zola was seen in August 2011 in the Derwent Country Park with three other kites.

Zola has since been seen at the winter pre-roost at Hollinside Manor. December 2011 - NE of Thornley Nurseries, Gateshead. Being chased by WT76

Latest Sighting:

March 2012 - building a nest with partner (not yet identified) on the Gibside Estate.

 

 

Kite No:

D5

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Mid Blue

Kite Name:

No name given

Born:

2010 Derwent Park, Gateshead

Male/Female:

Unknown

Parents:

Father- Unknown / Mother- Unknown

Befriend a Kite School:

 

Brief Summary:

When WTD5 was tagged, along with sibling WTD4, the nest, in a Scots Pine, was found to contain a brown jumper and a pair of tights as decoration. WTD5 can only be identified by a visual sighting.

WTD5 was twice seen at the winter pre-roost at Hollinside Manor in November 2010.

WTD5 had   been seen in November 2011at the winter pre-roost at Hollinside Manor.

February 2012 - recorded on Burdon Moor, above Sunniside.

Latest Sighting:

22nd March 2012 - again noted at Burdon Moor, identified whilst perched in tree.


 

 

Kite No:

D6

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Mid Blue

Kite Name:

Skyla

Born:

2010 Gibside, Gateshead

Male/Female:

Unknown

Parents:

Father- WT C1 Angel / Mother- WT60 Welbeck Whistler

Befriend a Kite School:

Newburn Manor Primary School, Newcastle

Brief Summary:

When WTD6 was tagged, along with sibling WTD7, the nest, in a Scots Pine, was found to contain an Adidas sock and a glove as decoration. WTD6 can only be identified by a visual sighting.

Skyla has been seen twice in November 2010 and once in January 2011 at the main winter roost site near Hollinside Manor and pre-roosting at Paddock Hill and Gibside.

Skyla has recently been seen at the winter roost at Snipes Dene, Gateshead.

Latest Sighting:

October 2011 - Snipes Dene, Gibside, Gateshead

 

 

Kite No:

D7

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Mid Blue

Kite Name:

No name given

Born:

2010 Gibside, Gateshead

Male/Female:

Unknown

Parents:

Father- WT C1 Angel / Mother- WT60 Welbeck Whistler

Befriend a Kite School:

 

Brief Summary:

When WTD7 was tagged, along with sibling WTD6, the nest, in a Scots Pine, was found to contain an Adidas sock and a glove as decoration. WTD7 can only be identified by a visual sighting. There have been no sightings since.

Latest Sighting:

June 2010 - Gibside, Gateshead - at tagging

 

 

Kite No:

D8

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Mid Blue

Kite Name:

No name given

Born:

2010 Chopwell, Gateshead

Male/Female:

Unknown

Parents:

Father- Untagged / Mother- Untagged

Befriend a Kite School:

 

Brief Summary:

When WTD8 was tagged, along with sibling WTD9, the nest, in a Larch tree, was found to contain a T/shirt and a white plastic bag as decoration. WTD8 can only be identified by a visual sighting. There have been no sightings since.

Latest Sighting:

June 2010 - Chopwell, Gateshead - at tagging

 

 

Kite No:

D9

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Mid Blue

Kite Name:

No name given

Born:

2010 Chopwell, Gateshead

Male/Female:

Unknown

Parents:

Father- Untagged / Mother- Untagged

Befriend a Kite School:

 

Brief Summary:

When WTD9 was tagged, along with sibling WTD8, the nest, in a Larch tree, was found to contain a T/shirt and a white plastic bag as decoration. WTD9 can only be identified by a visual sighting. There have been no sightings since.

Latest Sighting:

June 2010 - Chopwell, Gateshead - at tagging

 

 

Kite No:

E0

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Mid Blue

Kite Name:

No name given

Born:

2010 Derwentcote, Co Durham

Male/Female:

Unknown

Parents:

Father- WT63 Polo / Mother- WT89 Kitty

Befriend a Kite School:

 

Brief Summary:

When WTE0 was tagged, along with sibling WTE1, the nest, in a Larch tree, was found to contain a toy horse's head as decoration. WTE0 can only be identified by a visual sighting.

Sadly, in April 2011, a member of the public found the body of WTE0 near Muggleswick, Co Durham, it was impossible to determine the cause of death.

Latest Sighting:

April 2011 - Muggleswick, Co Durham - deceased, cause unknown

 

 

Kite No:

E1

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Mid Blue

Kite Name:

No name given

Born:

2010 Derwentcote, Co Durham

Male/Female:

Unknown

Parents:

Father- WT63 Polo / Mother- WT89 Kitty

Befriend a Kite School:

 

Brief Summary:

When WTE1 was tagged, along with sibling WTE0, the nest, in a Larch tree, was found to contain a toy horse's head as decoration. WTE1 can only be identified by a visual sighting.

WTE1 has recently been seen at the winter pre-roost at Hollinside Manor.

Latest Sighting:

November 2011 - Hollinside Manor, Gateshead

 

 

Kite No:

E2

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Mid Blue

Kite Name:

Bomber Bird

Born:

2010 Blaydon Burn, Gateshead

Male/Female:

Unknown

Parents:

Father- WT80 Sky Diver / Mother- WT43 Swift

Befriend a Kite School:

Emmanuel College, Gateshead

Brief Summary:

When WTE2 was tagged, the nest in a Lime Tree, was found to contain a glove as decoration. WTE2 can only be identified by a visual sighting.

Bomber Bird was seen at Friarside near Rowlands Gill in August 2010, and also on several occasions in November 2010 and January 2011 at the main winter roost site near Hollinside Manor and pre-roosting at Paddock Hill and Gibside.

Bomber Bird was seen in August 2011, feeding in fields near Winlaton with seven other kites. Bomber Bird has recently been seen at the winter pre-roost at Hollinside Manor. Observed at Hollinside Manor in November. 17th December 2011 - Feeding on the ground near Hollinside Manor, Gateshead

Latest Sighting:

02/02/2012 - observed at pre roost, Hollinside Manor.


 

Kites born in 2009 (Wing tags C3 - C6)  

Kite No:

C3

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Pink

Kite Name:

Petra

Born:

2009 Huntley Gill, Gateshead

Male/Female:

Female

Parents:

Father- WT68 Lyons Lightning / Mother- WTO/G1 Soar

Befriend a Kite School:

St Peters RC Primary School, Low Fell, Gateshead

Brief Summary:

WTC3 was raised in a nest in Gateshead in summer 2009, with sibling WTC4. WTC3 was fitted with wing tags and a leg ring in June and fledged in July 2009. WTC3 can only be identified by a visual sighting.

Petra was seen at the pre-roost at Hollinside Manor on 3 occasions during Winter 2010/2011 perched with the other kites.

In Summer 2011 Petra set up a breeding territory on the Gibside Estate with an untagged male, and they successfully raised one chick, this chick was too small to tag, but it was ringed.

Petra was seen in August 2011, feeding in fields near Winlaton with seven other kites, including a young juvenile, possibly her chick. Petra has since been seen at the winter roost at Snipes Dene, Gibside.

Latest Sighting:

October 2011 - Snipes Dene, Gibside, Gateshead

 

 

Kite No:

C4

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Pink

Kite Name:

No name given

Born:

2009 Huntley Gill, Gateshead

Male/Female:

Unknown

Parents:

Father- WT68 Lyons Lightning / Mother- WTO/G1 Soar

Befriend a Kite School:

 

Brief Summary:

WTC4 was raised in a nest in Gateshead, summer 2009, with sibling WTC3. WTC4 was fitted with wing tags and a leg ring in June and fledged in July 2009. WTC4 can only be identified by a visual sighting.

WTC4 was later found wet, bedraggled and emaciated some weeks after fledging. After a period of rehab. in the pens it was re-released on 10th August 2009. It was known to have connected with other kite families and had been moving around the Gibside/Lockhaugh area. In November 2009 it was identified at the winter pre-roost at Snipes Dene, Gibside. There have been no sightings since.

Latest Sighting:

November 2009 - Snipes Dene, Gibside, Gateshead

 

 

Kite No:

C5

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Pink

Kite Name:

Fire

Born:

2009 Derwentcote, Co Durham

Male/Female:

Unknown

Parents:

Father- WT63 Polo / Mother- WT89 Kitty

Befriend a Kite School:

Clover Hill Primary School, Whickham, Gateshead

Brief Summary:

WTC5 was raised in a nest in Gateshead, summer 2009. WTC5 was fitted with wing tags and a leg ring in June and fledged in July 2009. WTC5 can only be identified by a visual sighting.

Fire was photographed and seen at a roost near Pocklington, East Yorkshire, twice in January 2011

Latest Sighting:

January 2011 - Pocklington, East Yorkshire - at winter roost

 

 

Kite No:

C6

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Pink

Kite Name:

No name given

Born:

2009 Derwent Park, Gateshead

Male/Female:

Unknown

Parents:

Father- WT15 Red Philip / Mother- WT16 Flag

Befriend a Kite School:

 

Brief Summary:

WTC6 was raised in a nest in Gateshead, summer 2009. WTC6 left the nest early in June before he was able to fly. He was rescued by a member of the public and finished growing up in the care of Northern Kites. He was fitted with wing tags and a leg ring on 13th July and released back into the wild in July 2009. WTC6 can only be identified by a visual sighting. The following month his body was found by a member of the public, death was probably due to poor weather and lack of hunting skills.

Latest Sighting:

August 2009 - Derwent Park, Gateshead - deceased, not suspicious

 

Kites born in 2008 (Wing Tags B2-C2)  

Kite No:

B2

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Black

Kite Name:

Whisper

Born:

2008 Spen Banks, Gateshead

Male/Female:

Unknown

Parents:

Father- WT59 Crookhill Blaze / Mother- WT24 Starfire

Adopt a Kite School:

West Jesmond Primary School, Newcastle

Brief Summary:

WTB2 was raised in a nest in Gateshead, summer 2008. WTB2 was fitted with wing tags and a leg ring on 20th June and fledged in July 2008. WTB2 can only be identified by a visual sighting.

Since 25th September 2008, Whisper has regularly been recorded at the the red kite winter roost near Sherburn Towers housing estate in Rowlands Gill, Gateshead.

Whisper was last seen in Gateshead at the end of 2008, this has been followed by no sightings since.

Latest Sighting:

December 2008 - Gateshead

 

 

Kite No:

B3

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Black

Kite Name:

Sunny Solar

Born:

2008 Winlaton, Gateshead

Male/Female:

Unknown

Parents:

Father- WT68 Lyons Lightning / Mother- WT O/G1 Soar

Adopt a Kite School:

The Grove Primary School, Consett, Co Durham

Brief Summary:

WTB3 was raised in a nest in Gateshead, summer 2008. WTB3 was fitted with wing tags and a leg ring on 20th June and fledged in July 2008. WTB3' s mother is a Yorkshire kite that has settled in the North East. WTB3 can only be identified by a visual sighting.

One such sighting places WTB3 at Barlow Fell, in Gateshead, on 28th July 2008. WTB3 was seen flying with both parents. There have been no sightings since.

Latest Sighting:

July 2008 - Barlow Fell, Gateshead

 

 

Kite No:

B4

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Black

Kite Name:

Starlight

Born:

2008 Beda Hills, Gateshead

Male/Female:

Unknown

Parents:

Father- WT56 Burnside Red Arrow / Mother- WT38 Harlow Harrier

Adopt a Kite School:

Langley Park Primary School, Durham

Brief Summary:

WTB4, along with sibling WTB5, was raised in a nest in Gateshead this summer. WTB4 was fitted with wing tags and a leg ring on 24th June and fledged in July 2008. WTB4 can only be identified by a visual sighting.

On 13th November 2008, Starlight was recorded at the red kite winter roost near Sherburn Towers housing estate in Rowlands Gill, Gateshead.

On 28th January 2009, Starlight was seen perched in a tree at Beda Hills in Rowlands Gill, Gateshead. This was followed by no sightings until January 2011, when Starlight was seen near Rowlands Gill in the company of an untagged juvenile kite.

Latest Sighting:

January 2011 - Rowlands Gill, Gateshead

 

 

Kite No:

B5

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Black

Kite Name:

No name given

Born:

2008 Beda Hills, Gateshead

Male/Female:

Unknown

Parents:

Father- WT56 Burnside Red Arrow / Mother- WT38 Harlow Harrier

Adopt a Kite School:

Not adopted

Brief Summary:

WTB5, along with sibling WTB4, was raised in a nest in Gateshead this summer. WTB5 was fitted with wing tags and a leg ring on 24th June and fledged late-June 2008. Sadly on 30th June 2008 the corpse of WTB5 was identified by a member of the public, the bird had been predated upon by most likely a fox

Latest Sighting:

June 2008 - Gateshead - deceased, probable predation by a fox

 

 

Kite No:

B6

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Black

Kite Name:

Golden Glider

Born:

2008 Rowlands Gill, Gateshead

Male/Female:

Male

Parents:

Father- WT6 Flame / Mother- WT19 Ruby

Adopt a Kite School:

Sacriston Junior School, Sacriston, Co Durham

Brief Summary:

WTB6 was raised in a nest in Gateshead, summer 2008. WTB6 was fitted with wing tags and a leg ring on 24th June and fledged in July 2008. WTB6 can only be identified by a visual sighting. On 28th July 2008, WTB6 was seen flying and perched in trees at Gibside National Trust estate.

On 28th July 2008, WTB6 was seen at Gibside National Trust estate perched in a tree with father WT6. On 22nd September 2008, WTB6 was seen roosting with seventeen other kites near Sherburn Towers housing estate in Rowlands Gill, Gateshead.

Golden Glider has continued to spend the winter nights at this roost.

In April 2009, Golden Glider was seen roosting in trees at the bottom of a garden in Rowlands Gill, Gateshead! B6, although holding early season territory in Rowlands Gill was seen at Derwent Reservoir with another kite in July. He was recorded at the Sherburn Towers roost in the September.

In the first three months of 2010 Golden Glider was seen on three occasions in the Highfield area of Gateshead. He then started to build a nest with an untagged kite, in the Rowlands Gill area, which was then abandoned. On several occasions through out the winter of 2010/2011, Golden Glider was recorded at the pre-roosts and roosts at Hollinside and Gibside.

In the spring of 2011, Golden Glider was found with a new partner WT44 Morgan, at a new territory in Rowlands Gill, a local resident kept a diary of the breeding activity and was delighted to see this pair successfully fledge one chick, not tagged. 21st November 2011 - Identified at pre roost, perched on pylon near Hollinside Manor.

19th December2011 - Recorded at pre roost, again perched on pylon near Hollinside Manor.

 

Latest Sighting:

March 2012 - building new nest with partner WT44, approx 100 metres south of last years nest

 

 

Kite No:

B7

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Black

Kite Name:

Crimson Ray

Born:

2008 Derwent Park, Gateshead

Male/Female:

Unknown

Parents:

Father- WT15 Red Philip / Mother- WT16 Flag

Adopt a Kite School:

Eslington School, Gateshead

Brief Summary:

The parents of WTB7, WT15 (Red Philip) and WT16 (Flag), successfully raised a chick in 2006, becoming the first red kites to breed in the north east for nearly 200 years! In the summer of 2008 this pair successfully raised two chicks in the Derwent Walk Country Park. WTB7, along with sibling WTB8, was fitted with wing tags and a leg ring on 26th June and fledged in July 2008. WTB7 can only be identified by a visual sighting.

On 13th October 2008, Crimson Ray was recorded at the red kite winter roost near Sherburn Towers housing estate in Rowlands Gill, Gateshead. Crimson Ray was seen there again a month later, on 13th November 2008.

On 6th April 2009, Crimson Ray was recorded near Wylam in Northumberland.

Crimson Ray was not seen again until observed flying over Chopwell in April 2011

Latest Sighting:

April 2011 - Chopwell, Gateshead

 

 

Kite No:

B8

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Black

Kite Name:

Starburst

Born:

2008 Derwent Park, Gateshead

Male/Female:

Unknown

Parents:

Father- WT15 Red Philip / Mother- WT16 Flag

Adopt a Kite School:

Sedgefield Hardwick Primary School, Co Durham

Brief Summary:

The parents of WTB8, WT15 (Red Philip) and WT16 (Flag), successfully raised a chick in 2006, becoming the first red kites to breed in the north east for nearly 200 years! In the summer of 2008 this pair successfully raised two chicks in the Derwent Walk Country Park. WTB8, along with sibling WTB7, was fitted with wing tags and a leg ring on 26th June and fledged in July 2008. WTB8 can only be identified by a visual sighting.

On 8th September 2008, WTB8 was recorded with at least seven other kites at the red kite winter roost near Sherburn Towers housing estate in Rowlands Gill, Gateshead.

Since 9th October 2008, WTB8 has regularly been recorded at the red kite winter roost near Sherburn Towers housing estate in Rowlands Gill, Gateshead.

Starburst was last recorded at the winter roost on 27th November 2008. This was followed by a sighting in September 2009 at the Sherburn Towers winter roost. There were no more sightings until November 2010 when Starburst was recorded at the winter pre-roost at Hollinside, and again in January 2011 at the roost at Gibside.

Latest Sighting:

January 2011 - Gibside, Gateshead - at the winter roost

 

 

Kite No:

B9

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Black

Kite Name:

Fire Star

Born:

2008 Blanchland, Northumberland

Male/Female:

Unknown

Parents:

Father- WT71 Sky Dancer / Mother- WT A4 Farra Flame

Adopt a Kite School:

Milfield Community First School, Wooler, Northumberland

Brief Summary:

WTB9 was raised in a nest in south west Northumberland, in summer 2008. , Fire Star's mother, Farra Flame, was only one year old, when she successfully raised this chick, which is very rare. It also made Farra Flame's famous parents Red Philip and Flag grandparents at only four years old. Fire Star was fitted with wing tags and a leg ring on 17th July and fledged in late-July 2008. Fire Star can only be identified by a visual sighting.

Latest Sighting:

July 2008 - Blanchland, Northumberland - at tagging

 

 

Kite No:

C0

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Black

Kite Name:

Jet Fire

Born:

2008 Burnopfield, Co Durham

Male/Female:

Unknown

Parents:

Father- WT36 Fire Flight / Mother- WT28 Agnes

Adopt a Kite School:

Glendene School & Community Arts College, Durham

Brief Summary:

WTC0 was raised in a nest in the Derwent valley, summer 2008. WTC0 was fitted with a leg ring and wing tags on 1st July and fledged in late July 2008. WTC0 can only be identified by a visual sighting. Jet Fire was not seen again until March 2011 when he was seen near Thornley Woods.

Latest Sighting:

March 2011 - Thornley Woods, Rowlands Gill, Gateshead

 

 

Kite No:

C1

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Black

Kite Name:

Angel

Born:

2008 Gibside, Gateshead

Male/Female:

Male

Parents:

Father- WT79 Mulberry / Mother- WT33 Storm

Adopt a Kite School:

Starting Out Nursery, Leam Lane, Gateshead

Brief Summary:

WTC1, along with sibling WTC2, was raised in a nest in Gateshead, summer 2008. WTC1 was fitted with wing tags and a leg ring on 3rd July and fledged late-July 2008. WTC1 can only be identified by a visual sighting.

Since 30th October 2008, Angel has regularly been recorded at the red kite winter roost near Sherburn Towers housing estate in Rowlands Gill, Gateshead.

On 23rd March 2009, Angel was seen foraging in a field at Beda Hills in Rowlands Gill, Gateshead. On 23rd April 2009, Angel was seen at a quarry in Ebchester, County Durham.

In 2010, Angel paired up with WT60 Welbeck Whistler, successfully fledging two chicks on the Gibside Estate, these were tagged D6 & D7.

In January and February 2011, Angel was a regular visitor to the winter pre-roosts and roosts at Hollinside Manor and Gibside. In summer 2011 this pair again successfully fledged two chicks, tagged E4 & E5.

Latest Sighting:

March 2012 - refurbishing last years nest with partner WT60


 

 

Kite No:

C2

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Black

Kite Name:

Centurion

Born:

2008 Gibside, Gateshead

Male/Female:

Unknown

Parents:

Father- WT79 Mulberry / Mother- WT33 Storm

Adopt a Kite School:

Roman Road Primary School, Leam Lane, Gateshead

Brief Summary:

WTC2, along with sibling WTC1, was raised in a nest in Gateshead, summer 2008. WTC2 was fitted with wing tags and a leg ring on 3rd July and fledged late-July 2008. WTC2 can only be identified by a visual sighting.

Since 13th October 2008, Centurion has regularly been recorded at the red kite winter roost near Sherburn Towers housing estate in Rowlands Gill, Gateshead.

On 28th January 2009, Centurion was seen with 7 other kites at Beda Hills in Rowlands Gill, Gateshead. On the evening of 5th April 2009, Centurion was seen perched in a tree in Rowlands Gill with WT53 and an untagged first summer bird (a kite born in 2008).

Centurion was not seen again until April 2010 when he was observed grappling with another kite near Highfield, he was then recorded at the winter pre-roost at Hollinside Manor in November 2010.

Summer 2011 - successfully fledged two chick at Priestfield with new partner WT28

Latest Sighting:

March 2012 - refurbishing last years nest with WT28


 

Kites born in 2007 (Wing Tags AO-B1+ Red/PurpleT2)

Kite No:

A0

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Purple

Kite Name:

Spirit 2

Born:

2007 Friarside, Gateshead

Male/Female:

Unknown

Parents:

Father- WT53 Winlaton Blaze / Mother- WT44 Morgan

Adopt a Kite School:

Farne Primary School, Newbiggin Hall, Newcastle

Brief Summary:

WTA0, along with sibling WTA1, was raised in a nest in Gateshead this summer. WTA0 was fitted with wing tags and a leg ring on 21st June. WTA0 fledged in July 2007. WTA0 can only be identified by a visual sighting. One such sighting places WTA0 at Barlow Burn, in Gateshead, on 14th August 2007. There have been no sightings since.

Latest Sighting:

August 2007 - Barlow Burn, Gateshead

 

 

Kite No:

A1

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Purple

Kite Name:

Cragside Flame

Born:

2007 Friarside, Gateshead

Male/Female:

Unknown

Parents:

Father- WT53 Winlaton Blaze / Mother- WT44 Morgan

Adopt a Kite School:

Cragside C of E First School, Cramlington, Northumberland

Brief Summary:

WTA1, along with sibling WTA0, was raised in a nest in Gateshead this summer. WTA1 was fitted with wing tags and a leg ring on 21st June and fledged in July 2007. WTA1 can only be identified by a visual sighting. WTA1 was not recorded again until 3rd October 2007 when a photograph confirmed WTA1 was flying over Barlow Fell.

From 26th to 31st October 2007, WTA1 was recorded in Teesdale and was seen roosting with WTA7. WTA1 did not remain in Teesdale for long and by 5th November 2007 had rejoined the kites in Gateshead.

On 11th February 2008, WTA1 was seen with five other kites feeding in a field and perching on fence posts just north of the Barlow Burn.

On 2nd December 2008, Cragside Flame was seen at the red kite winter roost near Sherburn Towers housing estate in Rowlands Gill, Gateshead. This has been followed by no sightings since.

Latest Sighting:

December 2008 - Sherburn Towers, Rowlands Gill, Gateshead

 

 

Kite No:

A2

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Purple

Kite Name:

Silky Striker

Born:

2007 Gibside, Gateshead

Male/Female:

Unknown

Parents:

Father- WT6 Flame / Mother- WT19 Ruby

Adopt a Kite School:

New Silksworth Junior School, Sunderland

Brief Summary:

WTA2 was raised in a nest in Gateshead this summer. WTA2 was fitted with wing tags and a leg ring on 12th July and fledged late-July 2007.

WTA2 can only be identified by a visual sighting and was regularly recorded around Rowlands Gill. On 5th November, WTA2 and five other kites were seen feeding on a pheasant carcass in a field in the area.

Silky Striker was next seen on 23rd June 2008 at Cut Thorn Farm, Gibside, with WTB0 and another purple tagged kite.

Since 2nd October 2008, Silky Striker has regularly been recorded at the the red kite winter roost near Sherburn Towers housing estate in Rowlands Gill, Gateshead.

On 24th February 2009, a photograph was taken of Silky Striker taking off from a field near Thornley Kennels in Rowlands Gill, Gateshead.

In early April 2009, Silky Striker was recorded at Barlow Fell in Gateshead. In October Silky Striker was recorded twice at the Sherburn Towers winter roost.

In March 2010 Silky Striker was seen perched in a tree near Highfield, and later in the same month was recorded at Sherburn Towers early one morning being quite vocal.

In August 2010 Silky Striker was recorded twice at the Sherburn Towers roost, again being quite vocal.

Latest Sighting:

Late March 2012 - identified from photograph whilst perched in a tree in Highfield, Rowlands Gill


 

 

Kite No:

A3

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Purple

Kite Name:

RJ

Born:

2007 Derwent Park, Gateshead

Male/Female:

Male

Parents:

Father- WT15 Red Philip / Mother- WT16 Flag

Adopt a Kite School:

Ryton Community Juniors School, Gateshead

Brief Summary:

The parents of WTA3, WT15 (Red Philip) and WT16 (Flag), successfully raised a chick in 2006, becoming the first red kites to breed in the north east for nearly 200 years!

In the summer of 2007 this pair successfully raised two chicks in the Derwent Walk Country Park. WTA3, along with sibling WTA4, was fitted with wing tags and a leg ring on 28th June. WTA3 fledged in mid-July 2007. WTA3 can only be identified by a visual sighting. Since fledging in July, no sighting for WTA3 have been recorded.

On 24th February 2008, RJ was seen near Sherburn Towers housing estate in Rowlands Gill. Since mid-November 2008, RJ has regularly been recorded at the red kite winter roost near Sherburn Towers housing estate in Rowlands Gill, Gateshead.

On 23rd March 2009, RJ tried to woo WT34 (Parochial Poppy) who was seen foraging in a field of winter cereal in High Spen, Gateshead. Parochial Poppy's partner WT80 (Sky Diver) appeared and chased RJ away but after a few minutes he drifted back. RJ eventually moved on after getting chased by WT80 for a second time! The sex of RJ was unknown before this point but we can now confirm that RJ is male!

Latest Sighting:

March 2009 - High Spen, Gateshead

 

 

Kite No:

A4

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Purple

Kite Name:

Farra Flame

Born:

2007 Derwent Park, Gateshead

Male/Female:

Female

Parents:

Father- WT15 Red Philip / Mother- WT16 Flag

Adopt a Kite School:

Farringdon Primary School, Sunderland

Brief Summary:

The parents of WTA4, WT15 (Red Philip) and WT16 (Flag), successfully raised a chick in 2006, becoming the first red kites to breed in the north east for nearly 200 years! In the summer of 2007 this pair successfully raised two chicks in the Derwent Walk Country Park. WTA4, along with sibling WTA3, was fitted with wing tags and a leg ring on 28th June. WTA4 can only be identified by a visual sighting and on 6th September 2007, WTA4 was seen foraging with seven other kites in the lower Derwent valley.

In early May 2008, A4 was seen around Blanchland, near the border of Northumberland and County Durham.

In spring 2008, Farra Flame was seen displaying with WT71 (Sky Dancer) they went on to build a nest together and had two chicks, one of which was raised to fledging. This chick has been fitted with a leg ring and wing tags B9 and fledged in July 2008. Farra Flame, at only one year old, has made her parents Flag and Red Philip grandparents at the ripe old age of four years old!

On 16th October 2008, Farra Flame was recorded at the red kite winter roost near Sherburn Towers housing estate in Rowlands Gill, Gateshead. She was seen there again on 24th November 2008.

On 28th January 2009, Farra Flame was seen at Beda Hills in Gateshead with 7 other kites. On 5th March 2009, Farra Flame and WT87 (George) were seen flying together just west of Birtley in County Durham, where they attempted to breed, but the nest was abandoned. She has not been seen since.

Latest Sighting:

April 2009 - near Urpeth, Co Durham - failed breeding attempt

 

 

Kite No:

A5

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Purple

Kite Name:

Ponteland Sunrise

Born:

2007 Wylam, Northumberland

Male/Female:

Male

Parents:

Father- WT51 Burning Wings / Mother- WT21 Winlaton Phoenix

Adopt a Kite School:

Ponteland Community High School, Ponteland, Northumberland

Brief Summary:

The parents of WTA5, WT51 (Burning Wings) and WT21 (Winlaton Phoenix), build a nest in Northumberland's Tyne Valley and successfully raised WTA5 this summer. WTA5 is the first red kite to be raised in Northumberland for around 170 years! WTA5 was fitted with a leg ring and wing tags on 12th July and fledged late July 2007. WTA5 can only be identified by a visual sighting.

In October 2007, Ponteland Sunrise was regularly recorded roosting at Sherburn Tower Farm in Rowlands Gill. On 19th January 2008, Ponteland Sunrise was seen flying with parent WT51 above Sherburn Towers housing estate in Rowlands Gill. On 22nd January, Ponteland Sunrise was seen with parent WT21 at Barlow Burn.

On 11th February 2008, Ponteland Sunrise was seen with five other kites (including parents WT21 and WT51) feeding in a field and perching on fence posts just north of the Barlow Burn.

In mid-April 2008, Ponteland Sunrise was seen displaying with WT84 (Shiver) over Gibside National Trust estate. Though they did not go on to nest together we can now confirm that Ponteland Sunrise is male. Since 25th September 2008, Ponteland Sunrise has regularly been recorded at the the red kite winter roost near Sherburn Towers housing estate in Rowlands Gill, Gateshead.

Ponteland Sunrise was not seen for some time, until March 2010 when he was confirmed as the new partner of WT40 Ziggy, at the Highland Cattle Centre in Northumberland where they hatched one chick. Sadly his body was found near Hindley in July, his partner had been found dead near their nest the previous month, and the chick also perished. Subsequent post mortems confirmed both of the adults had been poisoned.

Latest Sighting:

July 2010 - Hindley, Northumberland - deceased, confirmed poisoned

 

 

Kite No:

A6

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Purple

Kite Name:

Sedgefield Blaze

Born:

2007 Burnopfield, Co Durham

Male/Female:

Unknown

Parents:

Father- WT36 Fire Flight / Mother- WT28 Agnes

Adopt a Kite School:

Sedgefield Community College, Sedgefield, Co Durham

Brief Summary:

WTA6 was raised in a nest in the Derwent valley this summer. WTA6 was fitted with a leg ring and wing tags on 28th June and fledged in late July 2007. WTA6 can only be identified by a visual sighting.

On 13th September 2007, Sedgefield Blaze was observed flying with parent WT28 (Agnes) around Pontop Pike in County Durham. On 10th December 2007, Sedgefield Blaze was recorded near Highfield in Rowlands Gill.

On 11th February 2008, Sedgefield Blaze was seen with five other kites feeding in a field and perching on fence posts just north of the Barlow Burn. On 24th February 2008, Sedgefield Blaze was seen near Sherburn Towers housing estate in Rowlands Gill.

On 8th December 2008, Sedgefield Blaze was seen at the red kite winter roost near Sherburn Towers housing estate in Rowlands Gill, Gateshead. This has been followed by no sightings since.

30/01/2012 & 06/02/2012 - noted near Hamsterley Hall. First sightings since December 2008.

Latest Sighting:

13/02/2012 - agin observed at Hamsterley Hall, appears to be holding territory with partner.


 

 

Kite No:

A7

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Purple

Kite Name:

Icarus

Born:

2007 Langleydale, Co Durham

Male/Female:

Male

Parents:

Father- Untagged / Mother- WT57 Langleydale Traveller

Adopt a Kite School:

Middleton in Teesdale Primary School, Co Durham

Brief Summary:

Icarus was raised in a nest in Teesdale this summer. Icarus was fitted with a leg ring and wing tags on 12th July and fledged in late July 2007. Icarus can only be identified by a visual sighting and since fledging, Icarus has regularly been seen with the parent male around Langleydale in Teesdale. In late October 2007, WTA1 was visiting Teesdale and was seen roosting with Icarus. During the winter months Icarus has regularly been recorded at the winter roost in Langleydale.

In April 2008, Icarus was seen displaying with WT43 (Swift) in the lower Derwent valley, Gateshead. However, he did not stay in Gateshead for long and by May he was back in Teesdale and seen displaying with an untagged female! On 1st June he was recorded at Blackton, Eggleston.

Since 16th October 2008, Icarus has regularly been recorded at the red kite winter roost near Sherburn Towers housing estate in Rowlands Gill, Gateshead.

On 6th April 2009, Icarus was seen with WTB0 (Excalibur) just west of Burnopfield in County Durham, this pair went on to successfully fledge two chicks, untagged.

In 2010 Icarus and his partner Excalibur successfully fledged three chicks, which were tagged D0, D1 and D2. In October Icarus was identified at the pre-roost at Hollinside Manor.

In 2011 this pair again successfully fledged three chicks at Priestfield., the chicks were not tagged.

Latest Sighting:

March 2012 - regularly seen "displaying"over  territory with partner B0 .

 

 

Kite No:

B0

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Purple

Kite Name:

Excalibur

Born:

2007 Beda Hills, Gateshead

Male/Female:

Female

Parents:

Father- WT56 Burnside Red Arrow / Mother- WT38 Harlow Harrier

Adopt a Kite School:

Shotley Bridge Junior School, Co Durham

Brief Summary:

WTB0, along with sibling WTB1, was raised in a nest in Gateshead this summer. WTB0 was fitted with a leg ring and wing tags on 21st June and fledged mid-July 2007. WTB0 can only be identified by a visual sighting.

On 5th November, Excalibur and five other kites were seen feeding on a pheasant carcass in a field in Rowlands Gill.

Excalibur was not seen again until 23rd June 2008. Excalibur was at Cut Thorn Farm, Gibside, with WTA2 and another purple tagged kite. Since 30th October 2008, Excalibur has regularly been recorded at the red kite winter roost near Sherburn Towers housing estate in Rowlands Gill, Gateshead.

On 6th April 2009, Excalibur was seen with WTA7 (Icarus) just west of Burnopfield in County Durham, this pair went on to successfully fledge two chicks, untagged.

In 2010 Excalibur and her partner Icarus successfully fledged three chicks, which were tagged D0, D1 and D2.

In 2011 this pair again successfully fledged three chicks at Priestfield, the chicks were not tagged.

Latest Sighting:

March 2012 - regularly seen "displaying" with partner, A7, over territory.

 

 

Kite No:

B1

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Purple

Kite Name:

No name given

Born:

2007 Beda Hills, Gateshead

Male/Female:

Unknown

Parents:

Father- WT56 Burnside Red Arrow / Mother- WT38 Harlow Harrier

Adopt a Kite School:

Cragside C of E First School, Cramlington, Northumberland

Brief Summary:

WTB1, along with sibling WTB0, was raised in a nest in Gateshead this summer. WTB1 was fitted with a leg ring and wing tags on 21st June. On 6th July WTB1 had to be taken into rehabilitation after being found soaked through and underweight at the bottom of the nest tree. Following several weeks in rehab WTB1 was released back into the Derwent valley in late-July 2007 (after being fitted with a radio transmitter). WTB1 was regularly recorded around the Barlow area of Gateshead.

In October 2007, WTB1's transmitter signal did not change for a period of time indicating problems. Following further investigation, the corpse was found in Barlow Burn. There is no evidence to indicate death was due to anything but natural causes.

Latest Sighting:

October 2007 - Barlow Burn, Gateshead - deceased, natural causes

 

Kite No:

R/P T2

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Red / Purple

Kite Name:

No name  given

Born:

2007 Glen Lednock, Central Scotland

Male/Female:

Female

Parents:

Father - WT Untagged  /  Mother - WT RY33

Befriend a Kite School:

 

Brief Summary:

T2 was born in 2007 in Central Scotland. The nest was in a Scots pine and she was one of two chicks, the second chick being ringed only. Her male parent was an untagged kite, and the female parent was a 2004 kite from Drumloist. (These parents have successfully fledged two or three chicks each year since).

T2 was seen in October 2007  and again in December 2008 near Argaty in Scotland.

Amazingly, by February 2009 she was identified at Gigrin Farm in Wales, in the company of 300+ other kites including kites from Gateshead, Inverness and the Chilterns.

In the summer of 2010 she paired up with one of our kites WT84 Shiver, and they successfully raised one chick (ringed only) on their territory at Causey, Co. Durham.

The following year, 2011, the pair successfully fledged three chicks, F0, F1 and the third ringed only.

In 2012, the pair have been seen foraging in fields near their territory, both in February and early March.

 

Latest Sighting:

Mid to late March 2012 - Causey Gill, Co, Durham - Territorial displays and nest building.

     

 Kites released in 2006 (Wing Tags 61-95 + OG1)

Kite No:

61

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Green

Kite Name:

Wrekenton Warrier

Born:

2006 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Female

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt a Kite School:

Fell Dyke Community Primary School, Wrekenton, Gateshead

Brief Summary:

Since release this kite, like so many of the other kites released in 2006, has spent its first summer exploring the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn looking for food (carrion and beetles) and socialising with each other and kites released in previous years. She is regularly seen flying around the Barlow area.

Wrekenton Warrior was regularly recorded in the Gateshead area until mid-May 2007. On the 11th June 2007, a report was received from Worcester, in the West Midlands, that a red kite was feeding on a dead pigeon in a field. This kite was Wrekenton Warrior!

Wrekenton Warrior has not been detected since.

Latest Sighting:

June 2007 - Worcester, West Midlands

 

 

Kite No:

62

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Green

Kite Name:

Cedars Cyclone

Born:

2006 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Female

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt a Kite School:

The Cedars School, Low Fell, Gateshead

Brief Summary:

For the first few weeks after release, Cedars Cyclone was detected feeding and foraging in the Lower Derwent Valley. However, her exploring took her away from Gateshead where she was last detected on 24th July 2006. In mid October 2006, Cedars Cyclone was detected and found to be in the Scottish borders, just north of Coldstream. She has not been detected since.

Latest Sighting:

October 2006 - Scottish Borders, north of Coldstream

 

 

Kite No:

63

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Green

Kite Name:

Polo

Born:

2006 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Male

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt a Kite School:

Dubmire Primary School, Houghton le Spring, Co Durham

Brief Summary:

Since release this kite, like so many of the other kites released in 2006, has spent its first summer exploring the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn looking for food (carrion and beetles) and socialising with each other and kites released in previous years. Polo is still regularly detected in the Barlow area.

Polo spent a lot of time with WT33 in the spring, they were seen carrying sticks but did not build a nest.

On 10th September 2007, Polo was observed foraging in a cut hay field, just south of Gibside, with seven other kites.

During the winter months Polo has regularly been roosting near Sherburn Towers housing estate in Rowlands Gill and also at Gibside.

In spring 2008, Polo was seen displaying with WT89 (Kitty) and they built a nest together near Hamsterley in County Durham. WT89 was seen incubating, however, their eggs did not hatch.

Since early September 2008, Polo has regularly been recorded at the red kite winter roost near Sherburn Towers housing estate in Rowlands Gill, Gateshead.

On 9th March 2009, Polo was seen at Victoria Garesfield Lane in Rowlands Gill, Gateshead. He then went on to successfully fledge one chick, tagged C5, with his partner Kitty. In the October he was seen at the winter pre-roost at Sherburn Towers.

In 2010 this pair again successfully fledged two chicks, tagged E0 & E1.

In April 2011, Polo was seen flying over Chopwell near his territory. This year though, he and his partner failed in their breeding attempt.

Latest Sighting:

March 2012 - regularly seen on territory at Derwentcote/Blackhall Mill

 

 

Kite No:

64

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Green

Kite Name:

Red Runcie

Born:

2006 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Female

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt a Kite School:

Archbishop Runcie C of E Aided First School, Gosforth, Newcastle

Brief Summary:

Since release this kite, like so many of the other kites released in 2006, has spent its first summer exploring the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn looking for food (carrion and beetles) and socialising with each other and kites released in previous years. In September, Red Runcie briefly visited Devil's Water, near Slaley in Northumberland. He is regularly detected in Barlow Burn and the lower Derwent valley.

Red Runcie spend time with WT70 in the spring. However by May WT70 was in Teesdale.

Red Runcie was regularly recorded in the Gateshead area until 12th October 2007. This has been followed by no detections since.

 

Latest Sighting:

October 2007 - Gateshead

 

 

Kite No:

65

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Green

Kite Name:

Hook

Born:

2006 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Female

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt a Kite School:

Cragside C of E First School, Cramlington, Northumberland

Brief Summary:

Since release this kite, like so many of the other kites released in 2006, has spent its first summer exploring the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn looking for food (carrion and beetles) and socialising with each other and kites released in previous years. In August, WT65 left Gateshead and began exploring other areas. On 18th November 2006, she was detected back in Gateshead during a red kite guided walk.

However, Hook's transmitter signal did not change for a period of time indicating problems. Following further investigation her corpse was found in mid-March. There is no evidence to suggest she died of anything other than natural causes.

Latest Sighting:

March 2007 - Gateshead - deceased, not suspicious

 

 

Kite No:

66

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Green

Kite Name:

No name given

Born:

2006 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Male

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt a Kite School:

Central First School, Ashington, Northumberland

Brief Summary:

Since release this kite, like so many of the other kites released in 2006, has spent its first summer exploring the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn looking for food (carrion and beetles) and socialising with each other and kites released in previous years. Wing tag 66 enjoyed exploring around the Rowlands Gill area. However, transmitter signals indicated a problem in the New Year of 2007. His corpse was found by a member of the public in woods near Dipton. There were no signs to indicate death was due to anything but natural causes.

Latest Sighting:

January 2007 - Dipton, Co Durham - deceased, not suspicious

 

 

Kite No:

67

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Green

Kite Name:

Red Bullet

Born:

2006 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Female

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt a Kite School:

Tanfield Lea Junior School, Stanley, Co Durham

Brief Summary:

Since release this kite, like so many of the other kites released in 2006, has spent its first summer exploring the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn looking for food (carrion and beetles) and socialising with each other and kites released in previous years. In early August, Red Bullet left Gateshead and began exploring other areas.

In early August 2006, Red Bullet left Gateshead and began exploring other areas.

On 20th December 2007 Red Bullet's signal was detected in north Yorkshire. A visual sighting has since confirmed Red Bullet is with the Yorkshire red kites near the Harewood Estate, to the north of Leeds.

This has been followed by no sightings since.

Latest Sighting:

December 2007 - Harewood, Yorkshire

 

 

Kite No:

68

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Green

Kite Name:

Lyons Lightning

Born:

2006 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Male

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt a Kite School:

Hetton Lyons Primary School, Sunderland

Brief Summary:

Since release this kite, like so many of the other kites released in 2006, has spent its first summer exploring the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn looking for food (carrion and beetles) and socialising with each other and kites released in previous years. Lyons Lightning is still regularly detected in the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn area.

On 5th November 2007, Lyons Lightning and five other kites were seen feeding on a pheasant carcass in a field in Rowlands Gill.

During the winter months Lyons Lightning has regularly been recorded at the Gibside winter roost.

In spring 2008, Lyons Lightning was seen displaying in the Derwent valley with a Yorkshire kite (wing tag orange/green 1 - first seen in Gateshead in 2007). They went on to build a nest together and have raised one chick. The chick was fitted with a leg ring and wing tags B3. On 28th July 2008, Lyons Lighting was seen flying with partner WTO/G1 and chick WTB3 near Barlow in Gateshead.

Since mid-September 2008, Lyons Lightning has regularly been recorded at the red kite winter roost near Sherburn Towers housing estate in Rowlands Gill, Gateshead.

On 28th January 2009, Lyons Lightning was seen with 7 other kites in the Beda Hills area of Rowlands Gill. During March 2009, he was seen on two occasions in the Thornley Woods area of Rowlands Gill. He went on to successfully fledge two chicks, tagged C3 & C4 with WT O/G1 - Soar, but in 2010 this pair failed in their breeding attempt.

In January 2011 Lyons Lightning was identified at the winter pre-roost at Hollinside Manor.

Building a new nest within his territory, proved a good move, and he and his partner Soar, successfully fledged two chicks, untagged.

In August 2011 he was identified feeding in a recently harvested field near Winlaton with several other kites, including his partner Soar, and one of his 2009 chicks, C3.

Latest Sighting:

March 2012 - observed on territory.

 

 

Kite No:

69

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Green

Kite Name:

Fire Feather

Born:

2006 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Male

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt a Kite School:

Amble First School, Amble, Northumberland

Brief Summary:

Since release this kite, like so many of the other kites released in 2006, has spent its first summer exploring the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn looking for food (carrion and beetles) and socialising with each other and kites released in previous years. Fire Feather was regularly seen in Barlow Burn and the lower Derwent valley until 5th June 2007.

On 12th December 2007 Fire Feather was detected at the winter roost at Glen Almond in central Scotland.

He has not been detected since.

Latest Sighting:

December 2007 - Glen Almond, Central Scotland

 

 

Kite No:

70

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Green

Kite Name:

Christi

Born:

2006 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Female

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt a Kite School:

Corpus Christi RC Primary School, Gateshead

Brief Summary:

For the first two weeks after release, WT70 was detected feeding and foraging in the Lower Derwent Valley. However, her exploring took her away from Gateshead where she was last detected on 20th July 2006. In September and October, WT70 was detected exploring County Durham around Swaledale. In early December she was detected with the kites in the Harewood Estate in Yorkshire. It was discovered on 7th March 2007 that Christi had returned to Gateshead, she was recorded at Barlow Burn with several other kites. By May she had travelled to County Durham, where her signal was detected in Langleydale, Teesdale. By mid-August 2007 Christi was back in Gateshead, she was detected at Barlow Burn.

Christi did not remain in Gateshead for long, by 16th October she was detected at Harewood Estate in Yorkshire, where she spent last winter. However, by 22nd October, Christi was back in Gateshead!

Since her return to Gateshead Christi has regularly been recorded at the Gibside winter roost.

In spring 2008 Christi was seen displaying with WT92 (Sunrise) near Hamsterley Mill in County Durham. The pair built a nest together and have successfully raised three chicks - the most raised by any Northern kite in the northeast so far!

In early October 2008, Christi was seen at Muggleswick near the Derwent Reservoir in County Durham.

Christi was not seen again until 6th April 2009, she was perched in woodland near Hamsterley Hall with partner WT92, where they went on to successfully fledge two chicks, not tagged.

They again fledged two chicks in 2010, not tagged. In September 2010 Christi was seen at the winter roost at Sherburn Towers.

In 2011, although there was activity early in the season, the old nest was not used, and a new nest not found, so the out come for this year was unknown.

Latest Sighting:

April 2011 - near Hamsterley Hall, Co Durham - kites active near nest territory.

 

 

Kite No:

71

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Green

Kite Name:

Sky Dancer

Born:

2006 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Male

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt a Kite School:

Whitehouse Primary School, North Shields, North Tyneside

Brief Summary:

Since release this kite, like so many of the other kites released in 2006, has spent its first summer exploring the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn looking for food (carrion and beetles) and socialising with each other and kites released in previous years. In late September, WT71 left Gateshead and was detected again in mid October in the upper Derwent valley near Derwent Reservoir. In early December 2006 he had returned to Gateshead. Since then Sky Dancer has regularly been recorded in the lower Derwent valley and Barlow area.

On 10th September 2007, Sky Dancer was observed foraging in a cut hay field, just south of Gibside, with seven other kites.

During the winter months Sky Dancer has regularly been roosting near Sherburn Towers housing estate in Rowlands Gill and also at Gibside.

In spring 2008, Sky Dancer was seen displaying with WTA4 (Farra Flame) they went on to build a nest together and had two chicks, one of which was raised to fledging. This chick has been fitted with a leg ring and wing tags B9 and fledged in July 2008. Sky Dancer's mate WTA4 is only one year old and is the offspring of WT15 (Red Philip) and WT16 (Flag) (the first kites to breed in the northeast for nearly 200 years back in 2006). WTA4 has therefore made WT15 and WT16 grandparents at the ripe old age of four years old!

Since late September 2008, Sky Dancer has regularly been recorded at the red kite winter roost near Sherburn Towers housing estate in Rowlands Gill, Gateshead.

He was last seen in Gateshead at the end of 2008, this has been followed by no sightings since.

Latest Sighting:

December 2008 - Sherburn Towers, Rowlands Gill, Gateshead

 

 

Kite No:

72

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Green

Kite Name:

Red Lightning

Born:

2006 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Female

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt a Kite School:

St Pius Xth Primary School, Consett, Co Durham

Brief Summary:

For the first few weeks after release, Red Lightning was detected feeding and foraging in the Lower Derwent Valley. However, her exploring took her away from Gateshead where she was last detected on 26th July 2006. She returned to Gateshead in October. She was detected in Yorkshire with the kites at the Harewood estate in early December. However, on 15th February 2007, Red Lightning was back in Gateshead!

She was last detected in Gateshead on 11th April 2007.

Red lightning was not recorded in Gateshead again until 15th April 2008 when she was detected in Rowlands Gill and then at Gibside National Trust estate. She did not remain in Gateshead for long and by mid-June 2008 she was photographed at Gigrin Farm, the kite feeding station in Wales!

On 4th February 2009, Red Lightning was seen again at Gigrin Farm in Wales. It is assumed that she has now settled in this area.

Latest Sighting:

February 2009 - Gigrin Farm, Wales

 

 

Kite No:

73

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Green

Kite Name:

Hugar

Born:

2006 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Female

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt a Kite School:

Hookergate School, Rowlands Gill, Gateshead

Brief Summary:

Since release this kite, like so many of the other kites released in 2006, has spent its first summer exploring the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn looking for food (carrion and beetles) and socialising with each other and kites released in previous years. In late August, WT73 left Gateshead and began exploring other areas. She briefly returned to Gateshead on 21st October. 2006, but has not been detected since.

Latest Sighting:

October 2006 - Gateshead

 

 

Kite No:

74

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Green

Kite Name:

Jammy Dodger

Born:

2006 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Male

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt a Kite School:

St Joseph's RC Primary School, Highfield, Gateshead

Brief Summary:

Since release this kite, like so many of the other kites released in 2006, has spent its first summer exploring the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn looking for food (carrion and beetles) and socialising with each other and kites released in previous years. Jammy Dodger is regularly detected in the Barlow area.

During the winter months Jammy Dodger has regularly been recorded at the Gibside winter roost.

In spring 2008 Jammy Dodger was seen displaying with WT40 (Ziggy) in the Derwent valley. They built a nest together, however, their eggs did not hatch.

Since mid-September 2008, Jammy Dodger has regularly been recorded at the red kite winter roost near Sherburn Towers housing estate in Rowlands Gill, Gateshead.

In spring 2009, Jammy Dodger and partner WT40 nested at the Highland Cattle Centre near Whittonstall, in the Tyne Valley, where they went on to successfully fledge one chick, not tagged.

There have been no sightings since, his partner Ziggy with her new partner WT A5 Ponteland Sunrise, attempted to breed at this same location in 2010, but both adults and their chick perished, much to the distress of the owners of the HCC. It was subsequently confirmed as poisoning, so it does not bode well for Jammy Dodger.

Latest Sighting:

July 2009 - Highland Cattle Centre, Whittonstall, Northumberland - successfully fledged one chick with partner WT40

 

 

Kite No:

75

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Green

Kite Name:

Doddy Red

Born:

2006 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Female

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt a Kite School:

Dodmire Infant and Nursery School, Darlington, Co Durham

Brief Summary:

For the first few weeks after release, WT75 was detected feeding and foraging in the Lower Derwent Valley. However, her exploring took her away from Gateshead where she was last detected on 24th July 2006.

On 14th October 2007, Doddy Red was detected in South East Northumberland. She was between the villages of Ulgham and Hebron, just north of Morpeth.

She has not been detected since.

Latest Sighting:

October 2007 - north of Morpeth, Northumberland

 

 

Kite No:

76

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Green

Kite Name:

Chester

Born:

2006 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Male

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt a Kite School:

Brighton Avenue Primary School, Gateshead

Brief Summary:

Since release this kite, like so many of the other kites released in 2006, has spent its first summer exploring the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn looking for food (carrion and beetles) and socialising with each other and kites released in previous years. He is regularly recorded in the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn area.

During the winter months Chester has regularly been recorded at the Gibside winter roost.

In spring 2008, Chester was seen displaying with WT32 (Red Arrow) in the Derwent valley. They built a nest together but at a very early stage their chicks were predated upon by a carrion crow.

Since mid-September 2008, Chester has regularly been recorded at the red kite winter roost near Sherburn Towers housing estate in Rowlands Gill, Gateshead.

In spring 2009, Chester and partner WT32 built a nest on the Gibside Estate, Gateshead, and went on to successfully fledge two chicks, not tagged. In August the pair were seen on their territory with one of their chicks.

In 2010 the pair moved across the river from their previous territory, in to the lower Derwent Valley, and successfully fledged two chicks, not tagged.

Throughout the winter of 2010/2011 Chester was regularly seen at the pre-roosts at Hollinside Manor, and at the roosts at Snipes Dene.

In 2011 Chester and his partner WT32 successfully fledged two chicks, tagged E6 & E7.

Observed at the pre roost near Hollinside Manor on 21st November 2011.

Latest Sighting:

March 2012 - refurbishing last years nest with partner WT32

 

 

Kite No:

77

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Green

Kite Name:

Broady Whipper

Born:

2006 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Male

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt a Kite School:

Broadwood Primary School, Denton Burn, Newcastle

Brief Summary:

Since release this kite, like so many of the other kites released in 2006, has spent its first summer exploring the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn looking for food (carrion and beetles) and socialising with each other and kites released in previous years. In mid September 2006, Broady Whipper explored Holywell Dene in North Tyneside but soon returned to Gateshead. He is regularly recorded around the lower Derwent Valley and Barlow area.

On 10th September 2007, Broady Whipper was observed foraging in a cut hay field, just south of Gibside, with seven other kites.

During the winter months Broady Whipper has regularly been roosting near Sherburn Towers housing estate in Rowlands Gill and also at Gibside.

In Spring 2008, Broady Whipper was seen displaying with WT60 (Welbeck Whistler) in the Derwent valley. They built a nest together but did not successfully raise any chicks.

Since mid-September 2008, Broady Whipper has regularly been recorded at the red kite winter roost near Sherburn Towers housing estate in Rowlands Gill, Gateshead.

He was not seen again until 2009 when he successfully fledged one chick, not tagged, with WT60 at a new site in Rowlands Gill.

The following year, in Spring 2010, it was confirmed Broady Whipper had split from WT60 (now partnered with WT C1 at Gibside), and he attempted to breed with an unidentified kite, that failed in the early stages.

He was not seen for a year, but then identified in May 2011 flying over a new territory to the south of Rowlands Gill, the nest was not located, therefore the outcome remains uncertain.

Latest Sighting:

May 2011 - south of Rowlands Gill, Gateshead - flying over a new territory

 

 

Kite No:

78

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Orange

Kite Name:

Cedars Cyclone

Born:

2005 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Female

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt a Kite School:

The Cedars School, Gateshead

Brief Summary:

Cedars Cyclone originally fledged naturally from her nest in the Chilterns in July 2005. Unfortunately, she was found within a few days on the ground, underweight and requiring rehabilitation (it was thought she had been mobbed by crows and was brought down to the ground). She was transferred to the Northern Kites Project, but soon after her release to the wild in August was brought back into captivity. Over a period of month's, attempts were made to exercise her to help build up her flight muscles. She flew off for a week of freedom in February 2006 but was soon back in captivity. Unfortunately, during her exercise in late May 2006, she was mobbed by crows once again, grounding her and eventually killing her. Sadly, this is nature's way of birds defending territories and filtering out the weak so the strongest survive.

Latest Sighting:

May 2006 - lower Derwent Valley, Gateshead - deceased, mobbed and killed by crows

 

 

Kite No:

79

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Green

Kite Name:

Mulberry

Born:

2006 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Male

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt a Kite School:

Brandling Primary School, Felling, Gateshead

Brief Summary:

Since release this kite, like so many of the other kites released in 2006, has spent its first summer exploring the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn looking for food (carrion and beetles) and socialising with each other and kites released in previous years. Mulberry is regularly detected at his usual haunts in Gateshead.

During the winter months Mulberry has regularly been recorded at the Gibside winter roost.

In spring 2008, Mulberry and WT33 (Storm) were seen displaying in the Derwent valley. They built a nest together and have successfully raised two chicks. The chicks have been fitted with leg rings and wing tags C1 and C2 respectively. Both chicks fledged in July 2008.

On 15th September 2008, Mulberry was seen flying with four other kites over Rowlands Gill in Gateshead.

On 2nd April 2009, Mulberry was seen at Snipes Dene in Gibside National Trust estate, Gateshead, and in the November he was identified flying over High Thornley, near Rowlands Gill.

In January 2010, Mulberry was identified at the winter roost at Snipes Dene, and then in March at a possible new territory with his partner WT33, near High Thornley. Three days later, the pair were identified at Hollinside Manor. Their nest was never located, but it is possible they were an unidentified pair that successfully fledged two chicks (tagged D4 & D5) at a new territory in Gateshead's Derwent Park in 2010.

During winter 2010/2011 Mulberry was a regular visitor at the pre-roost at Hollinside Manor.

In spring of 2011 Mulberry and his partner, WT33 were identified at the territory in Gateshead's Derwent Park, where last year two unidentified kites had successfully fledged two chicks (see above), but they failed at the incubation stage-April 2011.

Recorded at pre roost near Hollinside Manor on the 21st November 2011.

 

Latest Sighting:

March 2012 - seen regularly on territory with partner WT33

 

 

Kite No:

80

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Green

Kite Name:

Sky Diver

Born:

2006 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Male

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt a Kite School:

New Hartley First School, Cramlington, Northumberland

Brief Summary:

Since release this kite, like so many of the other kites released in 2006, has spent its first summer exploring the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn looking for food (carrion and beetles) and socialising with each other and kites released in previous years. Sky Diver is regularly seen flying in the Barlow area.

In spring 2007 he was seen building a nest with WT34 (Parochial Poppy), however, they did not breed successfully.

During the winter months Sky Diver has regularly been recorded at the Gibside winter roost.

In Spring 2008, Sky Diver and WT34 paired up again, however, they did not successfully raise any chicks.

On 15th September 2008, Sky Diver was seen at the red kite winter roost near Sherburn Towers housing estate in Rowlands Gill, Gateshead. He was also recorded at the roost on 16th October 2008.

On 23rd March 2009, Sky Diver's partner, WT34, was seen foraging in field of winter cereal in High Spen, Gateshead, with WTA3 trying to woo her! Sky Diver appeared and chased WTA3 away but after a few minutes he drifted back. WTA3 eventually moved on after getting chased by Sky Diver for a second time. This pair were seen on territory in the Barlow Burn, but no nest was found.

In March 2010 Sky Diver was seen in the company of WT43 Swift, who was confirmed as his new partner, as they successfully fledged one chick, tagged E2, in the Blaydon Burn.

Sky Diver was then seen at the winter roost at Snipes Dene in January 2011. He has not been seen since, and his partner WT43 Swift, then successfully paired up with WT15 Red Philip.

Latest Sighting:

January 2011 - Snipes Dene, Gibside, Gateshead - identified at the winter roost

 

Kite No:

81

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Green

Kite Name:

Scorcher

Born:

2006 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Male

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt a Kite School:

Warkworth C of E (Aided) First School, Warkworth, Northumberland

Brief Summary:

For the first few weeks after release, WT81 was detected in the lower Derwent valley. However, in mid-August he was found undernourished and struggling to fly. He was taken back into the pens for feeding and was released after gaining weight in late August. Scorcher is regularly detected in the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn area.

In spring 2007, Scorcher was seen displaying with WT32, they set up a territory but did not nest. In mid-June, following several days of heavy rain, the staff at Gibside National Trust estate found Scorcher on the ground soaked through and underweight. Scorcher was taken into rehabilitation and following several weeks of special care and attention he has made a full recovery. He was released back into the Derwent valley in late-July.

On 10th September 2007, Scorcher was observed foraging in a cut hay field, just south of Gibside, with seven other kites.

During the winter months Scorcher has regularly been recorded at the Gibside winter roost.

Scorcher was last detected in Gateshead in April 2008.

Latest Sighting:

April 2008 - Gateshead

 

 

Kite No:

82

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Green

Kite Name:

No name given

Born:

2006 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Female

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt a Kite School:

St. John's Chapel, Weardale, Co Durham

Brief Summary:

Since release this kite, like so many of the other kites released in 2006, has spent its first summer exploring the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn looking for food (carrion and beetles) and socialising with each other and kites released in previous years. Unfortunately in mid September, WT82's body was found in Gateshead next to a wooden electricity pylon. Following post mortem, it was deemed that her death was caused by electrocution; she must have made contact with the cables.

Latest Sighting:

September 2006 - Gateshead - deceased, probable electrocution

 

 

Kite No:

83

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Green

Kite Name:

Red Saint

Born:

2006 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Male

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt a Kite School:

St Agnes Day Nursery School, Crawcrook, Gateshead

Brief Summary:

For the first few weeks after release, WT83 was detected feeding and foraging in the Lower Derwent Valley. However, his exploring took him away from Gateshead where he was last detected on 26th July 2006. In late September, WT83 was detected in the Holywell Dene area of North Tyneside where he has been seen since. However, in mid December 2006 WT83 returned to Gateshead where he has joined the kites in the communal winter roost.

In spring 2007, Red Saint seemed to pair off with WT89, though this did not last. He is still regularly recorded in the lower Derwent valley.

During the winter months Red Saint has regularly been recorded at the Gibside winter roost.

On 11th February 2008, Red Saint was seen with five other kites feeding in a field and perching on fence posts just north of the Barlow Burn.

In spring 2008, Red Saint set up a territory near Tanfield in County Durham with an as yet unidentified female. They successfully raised one chick that fledged in July 2008.

On 9th October 2008, Red Saint was roosting near Sherburn Towers housing estate in Rowlands Gill, Gateshead.

On 23rd February 2009, Red Saint was recorded at Causey Gill in County Durham and seen there again in early March 2009. He went on to successfully fledge one chick, untagged, with his unknown partner. The following year, 2010, this pair successfully fledged two chicks, untagged.

In 2011 Red Saint and his untagged partner kept our monitoring team guessing, first moving to a new territory near Beamish Golf course, and then moving again to the Beamish Bird of Prey centre, where they went on to successfully fledge two chicks, not tagged.

Red Saint also showed some interest in a captive female red kite here, dropping twigs in to her cage, and also becoming involved in some of the display activities.

June 2011 - Beamish Bird of Prey Centre, Co Durham - successfully fledged two chicks with his untagged partner

 

Latest Sighting:

March 2012 - building a new nest, still in the same tree, with partner, an untagged female


 

 

Kite No:

84

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Green

Kite Name:

Shiver

Born:

2006 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Male

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt a Kite School:

Barmston Village Primary School, Sunderland

Brief Summary:

Since release this kite, like so many of the other kites released in 2006, has spent its first summer exploring the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn looking for food (carrion and beetles) and socialising with each other and kites released in previous years. In early November 2006, Shiver was detected near Hexham but returned to Gateshead. She is regularly recorded in the Barlow Burn area.

On 10th September 2007, Shiver was observed foraging in a cut hay field, just south of Gibside, with seven other kites.

In spring 2008, Shiver was seen displaying with WTA5 (Ponteland Sunrise) though they did not nest together. On 27th June 2008 Shiver was recorded at Beda Hills in Gateshead.

On 15th September 2008, Shiver was recorded at Gibside National Trust estate in Gateshead. On 25th October, Shiver was recorded at the red kite winter roost near Sherburn Towers housing estate in Rowlands Gill, Gateshead.

On 23rd February 2009, Shiver was seen perched in a tree at Whickham golf course in Gateshead.

Shiver was not seen again until the following year, where at his territory near Causey, Co Durham, it was confirmed he successfully fledged one chick, not tagged, with his partner Red / Purple T2, a 2007 kite from the mid Scotland Project. In August he was identified near his territory.

On three occasions in January and February 2011, he was identified at the winter roosts and pre-roosts at Snipes Dene and Hollinside Manor. Shiver and his Scottish partner wing tag red/purpleT2,  then went on to successfully fledge three chicks, two tagged F0 & F1, at their territory near Causey.

Recorded at the pre roost near Hollinside Manor on the 12th November and observed on territory in the Causey Gill on 10th December 2011.

Latest Sighting:

March 2012 - refurbishing last years nest with partner R/PT2.

 

 

Kite No:

85

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Green

Kite Name:

Rothbury Rosie

Born:

2006 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Female

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt a Kite School:

Rothbury First School, Rothbury, Northumberland

Brief Summary:

Since release this kite, like so many of the other kites released in 2006, has spent its first summer exploring the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn looking for food (carrion and beetles) and socialising with each other and kites released in previous years. Rothbury Rosie was regularly seen flying around the Barlow Burn area until 12th March 2007. She has not been detected since.

Latest Sighting:

March 2007 - Barlow Burn, Gateshead

 

 

Kite No:

86

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Green

Kite Name:

Red Fred

Born:

2006 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Male

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt a Kite School:

Beaufront County First School, Hexham, Northumberland

Brief Summary:

Since release this kite, like so many of the other kites released in 2006, has spent its first summer exploring the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn looking for food (carrion and beetles) and socialising with each other and kites released in previous years. In late August, WT86 left Gateshead to explore other areas. A feint signal was detected in Gateshead for this kite in mid December 2006. Red Fred was not detected again until 26th September 2007, when he was recorded at Barlow Burn.

On 23rd March 2008, Red Fred was detected near Hexham in south west Northumberland.

In spring 2008 Red Fred set up a territory with an untagged female in south west Northumberland. They successfully raised one chick that fledged in July 2008.

In 2009 Red Fred and his partner again successfully fledged one chick, untagged.

There have been no sightings since.

Latest Sighting:

July 2009 - south west Northumberland - successfully fledged one chick with his untagged partner

 

 

Kite No:

87

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Green

Kite Name:

George

Born:

2006 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Male

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt a Kite School:

George Washington Primary School, Sunderland

Brief Summary:

Since release this kite, like so many of the other kites released in 2006, has spent its first summer exploring the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn looking for food (carrion and beetles) and socialising with each other and kites released in previous years. George is regularly detected in the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn area.

On 10th September 2007, George was observed foraging in a cut hay field, just south of Gibside, with seven other kites.

During the winter months George has regularly been recorded at the Gibside winter roost.

On 3rd March 2008, George was detected at Axwell Park in Gateshead. This has been followed by no sightings since.

On 5th March 2009, having gone undetected for a year, George was recorded just west of Birtley in County Durham, he was seen flying with Farra Flame (WTA4). This pair went on to build a nest, which was subsequently abandoned.

George was not seen again until November 2010, near a nest site to the west of Chopwell, where a Green tagged kite had been identified as one of a pair that successfully fledged three chicks, untagged, earlier in the year.

Although there was some refurbishment of this nest in 2011, it was never confirmed that George was one of the pair, and the nest was then abandoned.

Latest Sighting:

November 2010 - near Chopwell, Gateshead - near a possible nest site

 

 

Kite No:

89

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Green

Kite Name:

Kitty

Born:

2006 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Female

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt a Kite School:

St John's Chapel Primary School, Weardale, Co Durham

Brief Summary:

Since release this kite, like so many of the other kites released in 2006, has spent its first summer exploring the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn looking for food (carrion and beetles) and socialising with each other and kites released in previous years.

In spring 2007, Kitty seemed to pair off with WT83, though this did not last. Kitty is regularly seen flying in the lower Derwent valley and Barlow area.

During the winter months Kitty has regularly been roosting near Sherburn Towers housing estate in Rowlands Gill and also at Gibside.

In spring 2008, Kitty was seen displaying with WT63 (Polo) and they built a nest together near Hamsterley in County Durham. Kitty was seen incubating however their eggs did not hatch.

On 8th September 2008, Kitty was seen near Hamsterley in County Durham.

On 25th September 2008, she was seen roosting near Sherburn Towers housing estate in Rowlands Gill, Gateshead.

Kitty was not seen again until spring 2009, where she went on to successfully fledge one chick, tagged C5, with her partner Polo. In the September she was seen at the winter roost at Sherburn Towers.

In 2010 this pair again successfully fledged two chicks, tagged E0 & E1.

In 2011 Kitty and Polo failed in their breeding attempt at Derwentcote..

Latest Sighting:

March 2012 - seen regularly on territory at Derwentcote/Blackhall Mill

 

 

Kite No:

90

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Green

Kite Name:

Firebolt

Born:

2006 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Female

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt a Kite School:

St Catherine's RC Primary School, Newcastle

Brief Summary:

Since release this kite, like so many of the other kites released in 2006, has spent its first summer exploring the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn looking for food (carrion and beetles) and socialising with each other and kites released in previous years. In mid August, WT90 left Gateshead to explore other areas. On 4th December 2006, a signal was detected for Firebolt near Lilburn Grange in Northumberland.

However, on 15th February 2007, Firebolt was back in Gateshead! She was recorded at the communal winter roost in Rowlands Gill, along with 25 other kites. She was not detected in Gateshead again until 20th August 2007, when she was recorded at Barlow Burn.

Firebolt is now regularly recorded in the Barlow area of Gateshead.

Firebolt was last recorded in mid-April 2008, at Gibside.

Latest Sighting:

April 2008 - Gibside, Gateshead

 

 

Kite No:

91

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Green

Kite Name:

Fudge

Born:

2006 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Female

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt a Kite School:

Little Rascals Nursery, Durham

Brief Summary:

For the first few weeks after release, WT91 was detected feeding and foraging in the Lower Derwent Valley. However, her exploring took her away from Gateshead where she was last detected on 25th July 2006. On the 4th December 2006 she was detected with the kites at the Harewood Estate in Yorkshire.

Fudge was not recorded again until 12th October 2007, when a faint signal from her transmitter was detected in the lower Derwent valley in Gateshead.

She has not been detected since.

Latest Sighting:

October 2007 - lower Derwent Valley, Gateshead

 

 

Kite No:

92

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Green

Kite Name:

Sunrise

Born:

2006 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Male

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt a Kite School:

Hotspur Primary School, Newcastle

Brief Summary:

Since release this kite, like so many of the other kites released in 2006, has spent its first summer exploring the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn looking for food (carrion and beetles) and socialising with each other and kites released in previous years. Sunrise is regularly detected in the Rowlands Gill and Barlow Burn area. In May 2007, Sunrise briefly visited Wylam in Northumberland. However, it was not long before he was back visiting his usual haunts in Gateshead.

On 10th September 2007, Sunrise was observed foraging in a cut hay field, just south of Gibside, with seven other kites.

During the winter months Sunrise has regularly been roosting near Sherburn Towers housing estate in Rowlands Gill and also at Gibside.

In spring 2008 Sunrise was seen displaying with WT70 (Christi) near Hamsterley Mill in County Durham. The pair built a nest together and have successfully raised three chicks - the most raised by any Northern kite in the north east so far!

In early October 2008, Sunrise was detected near Muggleswick in County Durham.

On 31st October 2008, Sunrise was seen flying over Dipton in County Durham.

On 6th April 2009, Sunrise was seen perched with partner WT70 in woodland near Hamsterley Hall. He went on to successfully fledge two chicks, not tagged, with WT70.

This pair again successfully fledged a further two chicks, not tagged, in 2010.

However in 2011, although there was activity at this territory early in the season, the old nest was not used, and a new nest not found.

 

Latest Sighting:

April 2011 - near Hamsterley Hall, Co Durham - kites active near nest territory

 

 

Kite No:

93

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Green

Kite Name:

Amber

Born:

2006 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Female

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt a Kite School:

Malvins Close First School, Blyth, Northumberland

Brief Summary:

Since release this kite, like so many of the other kites released in 2006, has spent its first summer exploring the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn looking for food (carrion and beetles) and socialising with each other and kites released in previous years. In mid September, WT93 left Gateshead and explored the area around Blanchland and Slaley in Northumberland, but returned to Gateshead by the end of the month.

Amber was regularly recorded in the Gateshead area until 21st March 2007. This has been followed by no detections since.

Latest Sighting:

March 2007 - Gateshead

 

 

Kite No:

94

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Green

Kite Name:

Sky Hunter

Born:

2006 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Male

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt a Kite School:

Cotherstone Primary School, Teesdale, Co Durham

Brief Summary:

After release, WT 94 did not spend much time exploring Gateshead's countryside. He soon disappeared and was not detected until mid-August when he was seen exploring the Simonside Hills in Northumberland. In late August, WT94 arrived in Teesdale spending time foraging with the kites in that area. Sky Hunter last recorded in Teesdale on 3rd October 2006. He has not been detected since.

Latest Sighting:

October 2006 - Teesdale, Co Durham

 

 

Kite No:

95

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Green

Kite Name:

No name given

Born:

2004 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Female

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt a Kite School:

Not adopted

Brief Summary:

WT95 is actually a 2 year old wild bred kite from the Chilterns, originally with wing tags A6. She was taken into captivity in the Chilterns due to illness and after care from Tiggy Winkles Animal Hospital and further rehabilitation from Raptor Rescue it was thought she would do well if released under the Northern Kites project adding an adult female to releases in Gateshead. Her A6 tags were replaced with WT95 and she was deemed fit for release. However, only a few days after release, she was taken back into captivity as she was spotted struggling to fly. Upon capture, she was underweight and received some extra food to build her strength back up. A second release was attempted, but again was unsuccessful so now an exercise regime will be followed to encourage her to fly properly. Unfortunately in early October, WT95 was released again but sadly did not make it through her first night in the wild as she was predated upon by a fox.

Latest Sighting:

October 2006 - Gibside, Gateshead - deceased, predated on by a fox

 

 

Kite No:

O/G 1

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Orange / Green

Kite Name:

Soar

Born:

2006 Harewood Estate, Yorkshire

Male/Female:

Female

Parents:

Father- WT O/P 1 / Mother- WT O/P T

Adopt a Kite School:

Ponteland Community Middle School, Ponteland, Northumberland

Brief Summary:

Soar was reared in a nest on Harewood Estate in north Yorkshire in 2006, she was one of a brood of two. Soar's father is Orange/Pink 1, born in 2000 and the first kite born in Yorkshire to be wing tagged after releases began in 1999. Soar's mother is Orange/Pink T, released in Yorkshire in 2000. This pair have been breeding successfully since 2001. Soar was first recorded in Gateshead on 5th November 2007, feeding on a pheasant carcass at the bottom of Lintzford Lane. On 4th April 2008, Soar was seen foraging around Balfour Utilities just off Thornley Lane in Rowlands Gill. During spring 2008, Soar was seen displaying in the Derwent valley with WT68 (Lyons Lightning). They went on to build a nest together and have raised one chick. The chick was fitted with a leg ring and wing tags B3. On 28th July 2008, Soar was seen flying with partner WT68 and chick WTB3 near Barlow in Gateshead. Since mid-September 2008, Soar has regularly been recorded at the red kite winter roost near Sherburn Towers housing estate in Rowlands Gill, Gateshead.

In 2009 Soar and her partner WT68 again successfully fledged two chicks, tagged C3 & C4. But in 2010 their breeding attempt failed.

Soar was seen twice in January 2011, once at the winter roost at Snipes Dene, and once at the pre-roost at Hollinside Manor. She then went on to successfully fledge two chicks, untagged, with her partner WT68. In August she was identified feeding in a recently harvested field near Winlaton with several other kites, including her partner Lyons Lightning, and one of their 2009 chicks, C3.

Latest Sighting:

August 2011 - Winlaton, Gateshead - feeding in a recently harvested field with several other kites.

                                                                                         

 Kites released in 2005  (Wing Tags 21-60)

Kite No:

21

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Orange

Kite Name:

Winlaton Phoenix

Born:

2005 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Female

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt a Kite School:

Winlaton West Lane Community Primary School, Winlaton, Gateshead

Brief Summary:

Since release, Winlaton Phoenix has spent the majority of her time in the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn. Her preferred roosts have varied between Barlow, Sherburn Tower Farm at Rowlands Gill and Gibside. She has been seen foraging and feeding in Barlow Burn and at the Burnhills SITA landfill site with several other kites. She still enjoys the feeding around the Barlow Burn area.

In the summer of 2006 Winlaton Phoenix was not detected in Gateshead from early June until mid-August. A photograph taken in Scotland at this time clearly shows the wing tags of Winlaton Phoenix - it would appear she summered in Scotland! This has only come to light recently. Since then she has been in Gateshead. In February 2007 Winlaton Phoenix was detected several times near Wylam in the Tyne Valley, on one occasion with WT59, as well as at her usual haunts around Barlow.

Having initially spent time with WT59 in the early spring, Winlaton Phoenix finally paired up with WT51. The pair successfully raised one chick, the first red kite chick to be raised in Northumberland for over 170 years! The chick, which has been fitted with a leg ring and wing tags A5, fledged in late July 2007.

On 22nd January 2008, Winlaton Phoenix was seen with WTA5 at Barlow Burn. On 11th February 2008, Winlaton Phoenix was seen with five other kites (including mate WT51 and juvenile WTA5) feeding in a field and perching on fence posts just north of the Barlow Burn.

In spring 2008 Winlaton Phoenix and mate WT51 were seen displaying together, though they are not known to have nested.

On 22nd September 2008, Winlaton Phoenix was seen roosting with seventeen other kites near Sherburn Towers housing estate in Rowlands Gill, Gateshead. She has continued to spend the winter nights at this roost.

On 28th January 2009, Winlaton Phoenix was seen with 7 other kites in the Beda Hills area of Rowlands Gill.

On 6th April 2009, Winlaton Phoenix was seen with partner WT51 perched in woodland near Wylam. A breeding attempt between this pair at Bradley Hall in Northumberland subsequently failed.

In September 2009 her partner WT 51 was found electrocuted at the base of a pylon near Wylam, and searches of the area since then, have found no trace of her.

Latest Sighting:

May 2009 - Bradley Hall, Northumberland - failed in breeding attempt with partner WT 51

 

 

Kite No:

22

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Orange

Kite Name:

Sapphire

Born:

2005 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Female

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt a Kite School:

St Joseph's RC Junior School, Gateshead

Brief Summary:

Since release, WT22 has spent the majority of her time in the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn. Her preferred roosts have varied between Barlow and Sherburn Tower Farm at Rowlands Gill. She was seen foraging and feeding at Lintz Hall Farm near Hamsterley Mill in August 2005 and since then, regularly in Barlow Burn and the lower Derwent valley. She was last detected near Crawcrook on 18th June 2006 near Gibside.

She was not detected again until 12th October 2007, when a faint signal from her transmitter was tracked to the Burnopfield area of Gateshead.

Sapphire was next seen on 27th June 2008, she was feeding on a hay crop at Beda Hills in Gateshead with WT48 and several other kites. She has not been detected since.

Latest Sighting:

June 2008 - Beda Hills, Gateshead - Feeding with other kites in a hay field

 

 

Kite No:

23

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Orange

Kite Name:

Rosie

Born:

2005 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Female

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt a Kite School:

Teesdale School, Barnard Castle, Co Durham

Brief Summary:

A few days after release, WT23 left the Lower Derwent Valley and headed south. By early August 2005, she was reported at Hamsterley, then several days later near Frosterley, both in Weardale. By the end of August, she had joined WT5 and WT3 near Barnard Castle in Teesdale. WT3 did not stay with them for long, but soon after, in October 2005, they were joined by WT57. WT23 has since remained in this area flying and foraging between woodland near Eggleston and Kinninvie. She has played 'Auntie' to the juvenile kites in the area and was seen regularly in their company.

Rosie was last detected on 2nd December 2006. However, the battery on her transmitter will be losing power therefore she may only be detected by a visual sighting. One such sighting confirmed Rosie was near Eggleston on 5th April 2007.

This has been followed by no detections since.

Latest Sighting:

April 2007 - Eggleston, Teesdale - visual sighting

 

 

Kite No:

24

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Orange

Kite Name:

Starfire

Born:

2005 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Female

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt a Kite School:

Chopwell Primary School, Chopwell, Gateshead

Brief Summary:

Since release, Starfire has spent the majority of her time in the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn. In October 2005, she was tracked to a roost in Iveston area near Consett but her preferred roosts have varied between Barlow, Sherburn Tower Farm at Rowlands Gill and Gibside. In 2006 she spent some of her summer in Gateshead but on 18th June she joined other kites near Barnard Castle in Teesdale but returned to Gateshead in late September. She is regularly recorded in the Gateshead area.

Starfire spent time with WT40 in early spring of 2007 but has since paired up with WT59 (Crookhill Blaze). The pair are known to have successfully raised one chick that fledged earlier than expected at the beginning of July. The chick left the nest before any wing tags were fitted making it a truly wild kite. Reports of a family party of kites consisting of two adults and two juveniles were received in early July. This was in the territory of Crookhill Blaze & Starfire, prompting suspicions that they managed to raise two chicks!

During the winter months Starfire has regularly been roosting near Sherburn Towers housing estate in Rowlands Gill and also at Gibside.

It is unconfirmed if Starfire and WT59 bred in 2008. However, an unconfirmed pair have raised two chicks in the Rowlands Gill area, one of these chicks has been fitted with a leg ring and wing tags B2. It is suspected that Starfire and WT59 are the parents.

On 22nd September 2008, Starfire was seen roosting with seventeen other kites near Sherburn Towers housing estate in Rowlands Gill, Gateshead.

She has continued to spend the winter nights at this roost.

In 2009 she again successfully raised two chicks with her partner WT 59, both untagged. She was seen at the winter roost at Sherburn Towers in the September.

In 2010 she and her partner failed in their breeding attempts, but she was again seen later in the year, at the winter roosts at Sherburn Towers and Hollinside Manor. In June 2011 she and her partner WT 59 successfully fledged a further two chicks, both untagged in Spen Banks Wood.

Latest Sighting:

March 2012 - refurbishing lats years nest with partner WT59.

 

 

Kite No:

25

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Orange

Kite Name:

Bede

Born:

2005 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Female

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt a Kite School:

St Bede's RC Primary School, Sacriston, Co Durham

Brief Summary:

Four days after release, WT25 was no longer detected in the lower Derwent valley. In December 2005, her wing tags were read by an experienced observer, identifying her presence in Barlow Burn. No transmitter signals were noted, indicating that her transmitter is possibly no longer working. There is also the possibility that she has been outside the area for most of the time. She was not detected again until early October 2006, when she was found in north Northumberland, just south of Coldstream. She was detected in Gateshead on 21st December 2006. Then following a report that kites had been seen near Plessey Woods, in south east Northumberland, further investigation on 11th March 2007 revealed WT25 was in the area. Bede has not been detected since.

Latest Sighting:

March 2007 - near Plessey Woods, Northumberland

 

 

Kite No:

26

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Orange

Kite Name:

Red Crystal

Born:

2005 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Female

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt a Kite School:

All Saints Primary School, Lanchester, Co Durham

Brief Summary:

For the first month after her release, WT26 spent the majority of her time in the Barlow Burn area. She was not recorded again until November 2005 when her signal was detected flying south west of Lanchester. In early February 2006, a report was made of a WT26 in Crimdon Dene close to Teesside. Later monitoring in March 2006, confirmed her presence in the Teeside area near the village of Hart, near Hartlepool. In April 2006, she was detected back in Gateshead's lower Derwent valley. She returned briefly in early June where she was seen sitting on the pen calling to the newly arrived juvenile kites. She was not detected again until 2nd March 2007, when her signal was picked up at the Team Valley. She was eventually tracked to the Chester-le-Street area of County Durham. Red Crystal has not been detected since.

Latest Sighting:

March 2007 - Chester le Street, Co Durham

 

 

Kite No:

27

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Orange

Kite Name:

Lindy Feather

Born:

2005 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Female

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt a Kite School:

Lindisfarne Community Primary School, Gateshead

Brief Summary:

Since release, Lindy Feather has spent the majority of her time in the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn. Her preferred roosts have varied between Barlow and Sherburn Tower Farm at Rowlands Gill. In late April 2006, she left Gateshead to explore other areas and has not been detected since. However, a report from bird watchers in Scotland detected Lindy Feather on the Perth to Dundee Road in Scotland on 27th November 2006. In early February 2007, the transmitter signal identified the bird near Angus in North Scotland. However, upon further investigation, the kite was unfortunately found dead.

It was hoped Lindy Feather had died of natural causes. However, following a postmortem on the remains, it has come to light that Lindy Feather had been poisoned using Carbofuran - a known substance that has historically been used to poison birds of prey. Sadly, the persecution of red kites is still a problem in north Scotland.

Latest Sighting:

February 2007 - Cairngorms, Scotland - deceased, confirmed poisoned

 

 

Kite No:

28

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Orange

Kite Name:

Agnes

Born:

2005 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Female

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt a Kite School:

St Agnes RC Primary School, Crawcrook, Gateshead

Brief Summary:

Since release, Agnes has spent the majority of her time in the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn. Her preferred roosts have varied between Barlow and Sherburn Tower Farm at Rowlands Gill. She was seen foraging and feeding at Lintz Hall Farm near Hamsterley Mill in August 2005, again in March 2006 and regularly in Barlow Burn and the Lower Derwent Valley. In April 2006, she has regularly seen displaying with WT36 at Hamsterley Hall in the lower Derwent valley where they set up a territory but did not nest.

Agnes continued to spend time with WT36 (Fire Flight) and in spring 2007 they again set up a territory. However, this time they built a nest together and have successfully raised two chicks! One of which has been fitted with a leg ring and wing tags A6. The chicks fledged late July 2007.

On 13th September 2007, Agnes was observed flying with A6 around Pontop Pike in County Durham.

Agnes and Fire Flight have bred successfully in Gateshead for a second consecutive year. They have raised two chicks, one of which has been fitted with a leg ring and wing tags C0. The chicks fledged in July 2008.

On 13th October 2008, Agnes was seen roosting with twenty two other kites near Sherburn Towers housing estate in Rowlands Gill, Gateshead.

She was not detected for sometime, but in April 2011 she was confirmed with a new partner (Untagged) and they successfully fledged two chicks, not tagged.

N.B. Her previous partner WT 36 Fire Flight, was found deceased in woodlands near Lintzford in February 2011, it was not possible to determine cause of death.

Latest Sighting:

March 2012 - refurbishing last years nest with partner C2.


 

 

Kite No:

29

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Orange

Kite Name:

No name given

Born:

2005 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Female

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt a Kite School:

Fell Dyke Community Primary School, Gateshead

Brief Summary:

Since release, WT29 spent the majority of her time in the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn. Her preferred roosts were at Sherburn Tower Farm and Spen Banks wood at Rowlands Gill. She was seen foraging and feeding at Lintz Hall Farm near Hamsterley Mill in August 2005 and regularly around Rowlands Gill. Her wing tags were read on 13th February 2006 when she was perched on a pylon in Rowlands Gill. Since then, her signal was detected as 'flying' near Rowlands Gill. Sadly, a member of the public found her carcass on 12th April 2006 in Spen Banks wood, Rowlands Gill. There is no evidence to indicate that she died of anything but natural causes.

Latest Sighting:

April 2006 - Spen Banks, Rowlands Gill, Gateshead - deceased, natural causes

 

 

Kite No:

30

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Orange

Kite Name:

Blaze

Born:

2005 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Female

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt a Kite School:

St Augustines RC Primary School, Felling, Gateshead

Brief Summary:

For the first month after her release, Blaze spent the majority of her time in the lower Derwent valley. Her transmitter signal was detected in the lower Derwent valley in mid August but was not heard again until December 2005. She was detected near Bradley Hall, Gateshead in April 2006. She has not been detected since.

Having remained undetected for two years, Blaze was finally recorded in spring 2008. She was detected in Northumberland between Haydon Bridge and Hexham. This has been followed by no detections since.

Latest Sighting:

April 2008 - near Hexham, Northumberland

 

 

Kite No:

31

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Orange

Kite Name:

Emmaville Ruby

Born:

2005 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Female

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt a Kite School:

Emmaville Primary School, Crawcrook, Gateshead

Brief Summary:

For the first few months after release, WT31 spent the majority of her time in the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn. She was seen foraging and feeding at Lintz Hall Farm near Hamsterley Mill in August 2005, and also flying with buzzards. She was detected on 21st November 2005. However, a photograph taken by a local bird watcher identified her in Gateshead on 13th November 2006. Her transmitter may be faulty. She was last detected in Gateshead on 17th December 2006.

Latest Sighting:

December 2006 - Gateshead

 

 

Kite No:

32

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Orange

Kite Name:

Red Arrow

Born:

2005 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Female

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt a Kite School:

St Josephs RC Primary School, Gateshead

Brief Summary:

Since release, Red Arrow has spent the majority of her time in the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn. Her preferred roosts have varied between Barlow, Sherburn Tower Farm at Rowlands Gill and Gibside. She has been seen foraging and feeding in Barlow Burn and at the Burnhills SITA landfill site with several other kites.

In early spring 2007, Red Arrow spent time with WT51. Since then she was seen displaying with WT81, they set up a territory but did not nest.

Red Arrow was last detected in Gateshead on 26th November 2007.

In spring 2008, Red Arrow was seen displaying with WT76 (Chester) in the Derwent valley. They built a nest together but unfortunately at a very early stage their chicks were predated upon by a carrion crow.

On 8th September 2008, Red Arrow was seen near Thornley Woodlands Centre in Rowlands Gill, Gateshead.

On 12th November 2008, Red Arrow was seen roosting near Thornley Nurseries in Rowlands Gill, Gateshead. She was seen there again on 8th December 2008.

In spring 2009, Red Arrow and partner WT76 built a nest in the lower Derwent valley, Gateshead, and successfully fledged two chicks, not tagged.

They successfully fledged a further two chicks in 2010 (not tagged) and again two chicks in 2011, tagged E7 & E8.

Latest Sighting:

March 2012 - refurbishing last years nest with partner WT76

 

 

Kite No:

33

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Orange

Kite Name:

Storm

Born:

2005 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Female

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt a Kite School:

Colegate Community Primary School, Felling, Gateshead

Brief Summary:

Since release, Storm has spent the majority of her time in the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn. Her preferred roosts have varied between Barlow, Sherburn Tower Farm at Rowlands Gill and Gibside. She was seen regularly foraging and feeding in Barlow Burn until 11th May 2006.

She was not detected in Gateshead again until the 17th December 2006. On 11th February 2007 she was recorded at Gigrin Farm, the kite feeding station in Wales. Just a few weeks later on 7th March 2007 she was back in Gateshead!

She is regularly seen between Chopwell Wood and Dipton. She spent a lot of time with WT63 in spring 2007, they were seen carrying sticks but did not build a nest. During the winter months Storm has regularly been roosting near Sherburn Towers housing estate in Rowlands Gill and also at Gibside.

In spring 2008, Storm was seen displaying with WT79 (Mulberry) in the Derwent valley. They built a nest together and have successfully raised two chicks. The chicks have been fitted with leg rings and wing tags C1 and C2 respectively. Both chicks fledged in July 2008.

There was no trace of Storm or her partner in the following two breeding seasons, but it is possible they were an unidentified pair that successfully fledged two chicks (tagged D4 & D5) at a new territory in Gateshead's Derwent Park in 2010. She was noted at the 2010/2011 winter pre-roost at Hollinside Manor on three occasions.

In spring of 2011 Storm and her partner were identified at the territory in Gateshead's Derwent Park, where last year two unidentified kites had successfully fledged two chicks (see above), but they failed at the incubation stage.

Latest Sighting:

March 2012 - observed on territory with WT79, her partner.

 

 

Kite No:

34

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Orange

Kite Name:

Parochial Poppy

Born:

2005 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Female

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt a Kite School:

Whickham Parochial Primary School, Whickham, Gateshead

Brief Summary:

Since release, Parochial Poppy has spent the majority of her time in the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn. Her preferred roosts have varied between Barlow, Sherburn Tower Farm at Rowlands Gill and Gibside. She was seen regularly foraging and feeding in Barlow Burn until mid June. She was detected on 14th June 2006. However, a report from Gigrin Farm, the kite feeding station in Wales, places Parochial Poppy at the feeding station on 23rd October 2006. On 19th March 2007 she was detected back in Gateshead.

Parochial Poppy was seen building a nest with WT80 (Sky Diver) in the spring, however, they did not breed successfully.

Parochial Poppy remained in Gateshead until June 2007. By September 2007, she was back at Gigrin Farm in Wales.

By spring 2008 Parochial Poppy was back in Gateshead! On 25th March she was recorded with WT80 in the Barlow Burn area.

In Spring 2008, Parochial Poppy paired up again with WT80 (Sky Diver). They built a nest together but did not successfully raise any chicks.

On 23rd March 2009, Parochial Poppy was seen foraging in field of winter cereal in High Spen, Gateshead, with WTA3 trying to woo her! Partner Sky Diver appeared and chased WTA3 away but after a few minutes he drifted back. WTA3 eventually moved on after getting chased by Sky Diver for a second time. The pair were seen on their territory in the spring of 2009, but no nest was found. There have been no sightings since.

Latest Sighting:

Spring 2009 - Barlow Burn, Gateshead - seen on territory with WT 80

 

 

Kite No:

35

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Orange

Kite Name:

Sky

Born:

2005 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Female

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt a Kite School:

St Albans RC Primary School, Gateshead

Brief Summary:

Since release, Sky has spent the majority of her time in the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn. Her preferred roosts have varied between Barlow, Sherburn Tower Farm at Rowlands Gill and Gibside and since then was seen regularly foraging and feeding in Barlow Burn and the Lower Derwent Valley. She was detected in May 2006 in Gateshead and returned on 30th November 2006. She has not been detected since.

Latest Sighting:

November 2006 - Gateshead

 

 

Kite No:

36

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Orange

Kite Name:

Fire Flight

Born:

2005 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Male

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt a Kite School:

Clover Hill Primary School, Whickham, Gateshead

Brief Summary:

Since release, WT36 has spent the majority of his time in the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn. He was seen foraging and feeding at Lintz Hall Farm near Hamsterley Mill in August 2005 and again in March 2006. His preferred roosts have varied between Barlow and Sherburn Tower Farm at Rowlands Gill. In April 2006, he was regularly seen displaying with WT28 at Hamsterley Hall in the lower Derwent valley where they set up a territory but did not nest.

Fire Flight continued to spend time with WT28 (Agnes) and in spring 2007 they again set up a territory. However, this time they built a nest together and have successfully raised one chick! The chick has been fitted with a leg ring and wing tags A6. The chick fledged late July 2007.

Fire Flight and Agnes have bred successfully in Gateshead for a second consecutive year. They have raised two chicks, one of which has been fitted with a leg ring and wing tags C0. The chicks fledged July 2008.

On 12th November 2008, Fire Flight was first seen roosting with fourteen other kites near Sherburn Towers housing estate in Rowlands Gill, Gateshead before moving to Gibside National Trust estate. This has been followed by no sightings since.

In February 2011 his body was discovered in a wood near Lintzford, it was clear he had been dead for sometime and therefore it was impossible to determine the cause of death.

Latest Sighting:

February 2011 - Lintzford, Gateshead - deceased

 

 

Kite No:

37

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Orange

Kite Name:

Spirit

Born:

2005 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Male

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt a Kite School:

Farne Primary School, Newbiggin Hall, Newcastle

Brief Summary:

Since release, WT37 has spent the majority of his time in the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn. He was seen foraging and feeding at Lintz Hall Farm near Hamsterley Mill in August 2005 and again in March 2006. His preferred roosts have varied between Barlow and Sherburn Tower Farm at Rowlands Gill. In December 2006, Spirit's transmitter signal did not change for a period of time indicating problems. Following further investigation, his corpse was found in Barlow Burn. There is no evidence to indicate death was due to anything but natural causes.

Latest Sighting:

December 2006 - Barlow Burn, Gateshead - deceased

 

 

Kite No:

38

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Orange

Kite Name:

Harlow Harrier

Born:

2005 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Female

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt a Kite School:

Harlow Green Infants School, Low Fell, Gateshead

Brief Summary:

Since release, Harlow Harrier has spent the majority of her time in the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn. Her preferred roosts have varied between Barlow and Sherburn Tower Farm at Rowlands Gill. She was regularly seen foraging and feeding in the Barlow Burn and lower Derwent valley until 10th May 2006 when she arrived in Teesdale to join the resident kites. During October and November 2006 Harlow Harrier travelled back and forth between Teesdale and Gateshead. Since January 2007, she has been regularly detected near Rowlands Gill.

In the spring Harlow Harrier set up a territory with WT56 (Burnside Red Arrow). They built a nest and have successfully raised two chicks! The chicks have been fitted with leg rings and wing tags B1 and B0 respectively. B0 fledged mid-July 2007, however, sibling B1 had to be taken into rehabilitation after being found soaked through and underweight at the bottom of the nest tree. Following several weeks in rehab B1 was released back into the Derwent valley in late-July, after being fitted with a radio transmitter.

Harlow Harrier is regularly recorded with Burnside Red Arrow in the Barlow area of Gateshead.

In spring 2008, Harlow Harrier and WT56 paired up again and successfully raised two chicks. The chicks have been fitted with leg rings and wing tags B4 and B5 respectively. Both chicks fledged mid-July 2008, however, not long after fledging B5 was predated upon by most likely a fox.

In November 2008, Harlow Harrier was seen at Beda Hills in Rowlands Gill.

On 28th January 2009, Harlow Harrier was seen perched in a tree with partner WT56 in the Beda Hills area of Rowlands Gill, and they went on to successfully raise a further two chicks, not tagged.

In 2010 this pair were again successful in fledging a chick, this was tagged D3.

In January 2011 she was seen with her partner, on their territory, accompanied by D0 - a 2010 chick, and another untagged juvenile. Harlow Harrier and her partner Burnside Arrow, then went on to successfully raise another chick, this was tagged E3. Observed on territory at Beda Hills on 12th November 2011

Identified perched in territory at Beda Hills, Highfield on 30th December 2011

 

Latest Sighting:

March 2012 - refurbishing last years nest with partner WT56

 

 

Kite No:

39

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Orange

Kite Name:

Sparkle

Born:

2005 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Female

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt a Kite School:

High Spen Primary School, High Spen, Gateshead

Brief Summary:

Since release, Sparkle has spent the majority of her time in the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn. Her preferred roosts have varied between Barlow, Sherburn Tower Farm at Rowlands Gill and Gibside. She was regularly seen foraging and feeding in Barlow Burn and the lower Derwent valley until March 2006. She was detected in April. On 28th November 2006 she was detected once again in Gateshead. She has not been detected since.

Latest Sighting:

November 2006 - Gateshead

 

 

Kite No:

40

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Orange

Kite Name:

Ziggy

Born:

2005 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Female

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt a Kite School:

Emmanuel College, Gateshead

Brief Summary:

Since release, Ziggy has spent most of the time in the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn. Preferred roosts have varied between Barlow, Sherburn Tower Farm at Rowlands Gill and Gibside. Ziggy has been regularly seen foraging and feeding in Barlow Burn and Lower Derwent Valley.

Ziggy was recorded with WT24 (a female) in early spring, however WT24 has since bred successfully with WT59. Then Ziggy was seen with WT43 and WT89 (both female). As Ziggy has only been recorded roosting with various females, but has not set up a territory with any of them, the sex of Ziggy still remains a mystery!

Ziggy remains in Gateshead and during the winter months has regularly been roosting near Sherburn Towers housing estate in Rowlands Gill.

The sex of Ziggy has remained a mystery since the kite was released back in 2005. However, the mystery has finally been solved - Ziggy is female! In spring 2008, Ziggy was seen displaying with WT74 (Jammy Dodger) in the Derwent valley. They built a nest together and Ziggy laid several eggs, unfortunately these did not hatch.

On 15th September 2008, Ziggy was seen roosting with at least eight other kites near Sherburn Towers housing estate in Rowlands Gill, Gateshead.

She has continued to spend the winter nights at this roost.

In spring 2009, Ziggy and partner WT74 nested at the Highland Cattle Centre near Whittonstall, in the Tyne Valley, and this time they successfully raised one chick, not tagged.

In the spring of 2010, Ziggy was with her new partner A5 Ponteland Sunrise, again at the Highland Cattle Centre, where they hatched one chick. Sadly her body was found near the nest in June, her partner was found near by the following month, and the chick also perished. Subsequent postmortems confirmed both of the adults had been poisoned.

Her previous partner WT 74 has not been seen since 2009.

Latest Sighting:

June 2010 - Highland Cattle Centre, Northumberland - deceased, confirmed poisoned


Kite No:

41

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Orange

Kite Name:

Rusty

Born:

2005 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Male

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt a Kite School:

Westerhope Primary School, Newcastle

Brief Summary:

Since release, Rusty has spent the majority of his time in the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn. He was seen foraging and feeding at Lintz Hall Farm near Hamsterley Mill in August 2005. His preferred roosts have varied between Barlow and Sherburn Tower Farm at Rowlands Gill. Rusty explored elsewhere during the summer of 2006 venturing between the kites in Teesdale and Gateshead. He was last detected in Teesdale on 14th August 2006.

On 26th November 2007, having not been recorded for over a year, Rusty was detected near Beamish in County Durham! This has been followed by no detections since.

Latest Sighting:

November 2007 - Beamish, Co Durham

 

 

Kite No:

42

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Orange

Kite Name:

Thunderbird

Born:

2005 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Male

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt a Kite School:

Burnopfield Primary School, Durham

Brief Summary:

Since release, Thunderbird has spent the majority of his time in the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn. His preferred roosts have varied between Barlow and Sherburn Tower Farm at Rowlands Gill. He has been seen foraging and feeding in Barlow Burn and at the Burnhills SITA landfill site with several other kites. During May 2006 he was frequently recorded around the Gibside estate. He is still seen regularly around the Rowlands Gill area.

Thunderbird and WT54 (Fantastic Flying Fiona) were seen inspecting an old crows nest in early spring. They set up a territory and WT54 was first noted incubating during April 2007, however the nest was abandoned in early May. Thunderbird remained in Gateshead and during the winter months was regularly detected at the Gibside winter roost.

In spring 2008 Thunderbird and WT54 paired up again, however, they did not successfully raise any chicks. On 9th October 2008, Thunderbird was seen roosting near Sherburn Towers housing estate in Rowlands Gill, Gateshead.

On 10th March 2009, Thunderbird was seen with partner WT54 investigating woodland in the lower Derwent valley area of Gateshead. On 30th March 2009, Thunderbird was seen feeding on a dead vole with WT54 in the Derwent Walk Country Park, Gateshead.

Thunderbird and his partner WT54, again failed to raise chicks in both 2009 and in 2010.

Early in the 2010 breeding season, Thunderbird then changed partners to WT16 Flag, splitting up a long term partnership between Flag and Red Philip, but they still failed to raise any chicks.

Over the winter of 2010/2011 Thunderbird was a regular visitor both at the Pre-roosts at Hollinside Manor, and at Roost at Gibside, often with WT16 in attendance.

In summer 2011 Thunderbird and Flag moved across the valley to Hollinside, and built a new nest, but still failed to raise any chicks. In August he was seen perched at his old nest site with WT16, WT D4 and another untagged juvenile in attendance.

Recorded at pre roost near Hollinside Manor on the 20th November and 10th December 2011

 

Latest Sighting:

March 2012 - refurbishing old nest of 2010 at the Slide in the Derwent Country Park, with partner WY16

 

 

Kite No:

43

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Orange

Kite Name:

Swift

Born:

2005 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Female

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt a Kite School:

Whitemere Community Primary School, Gateshead

Brief Summary:

Since release, Swift has spent the majority of her time in the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn. She was seen foraging and feeding at Lintz Hall Farm near Hamsterley Mill in August 2005 and again in March 2006. Her preferred roosts have varied between Barlow and Sherburn Tower Farm at Rowlands Gill. Swift has been regularly seen foraging and feeding in Barlow Burn and lower Derwent valley.

She was recorded roosting with WT40 and WT89 during the spring of 2007.

Swift remains in Gateshead.

In spring 2008, Swift was seen displaying with WTA7 in the lower Derwent valley, though they did not nest together. It is believed that Swift paired up with another kite and managed to raise two chicks as she was seen in late July 2008 with two juveniles!

Since early October 2008, Swift has been spending the winter nights at the red kite winter roost near Sherburn Towers housing estate in Rowlands Gill, Gateshead.

In 2009 Thunderbird appeared to be holding a territory in Thornley Woods, but with no partner in evidence, this came to nothing. In September 2009 she was twice recorded at the Sherburn Towers winter roost.

In the spring of 2010 Swift was seen partnered with WT80 Sky Diver, and they went on to successfully raise one chick, tagged E2, in the Blaydon Burn. During the winter of 2010/2011 Swift was frequently seen at both the Pre-roosts at Hollinside Manor and at Roost at Gibside.

In March 2011 it was confirmed that Swift was the new partner of WT15 Red Philip, at his territory in the Derwent Park. They successfully went on to fledge three chicks (a first for Red Philip), two were tagged E8 & E9, the third being too small to tag. The nest was found to contain a soft toy bear's head as decoration.

In August she was seen with her partner WT15 and two of their offspring at their nest location in the Derwent Park.Regularly seen during the winter of 2011/2012, on territory, with partner WT15 & family, at Paddock Hill and at pre roost near Hollinside Manor.

Latest Sighting:

March 2012 - refurbishing last years nest with partner WT15

 

 

Kite No:

44

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Orange

Kite Name:

Morgan

Born:

2005 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Female

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt a Kite School:

Ryton Comprehensive School, Ryton, Gateshead

Brief Summary:

Since release, Morgan has spent the majority of her time in the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn. Her preferred roosts have varied between Barlow, Sherburn Tower Farm at Rowlands Gill and Gibside. In February 2006, Morgan was detected at Tanfield Lea near Stanley, and has been regularly seen foraging and feeding in Barlow Burn and Lower Derwent Valley. In August and September 2006, Morgan was seen in the Simonside Hills in Northumberland but continued to return to Gateshead.

In spring 2007, Morgan and WT53 (Winlaton Blaze) were regularly seen together. They set up a territory in the Derwent valley and have successfully raised two chicks! The chicks have been fitted with leg rings and wing tags A0 and A1 respectively. The chicks fledged in July 2007.

In spring 2008 Morgan and WT53 paired up again, however, they did not successfully raise any chicks.

Morgan remains in Gateshead and in early February 2009, a photograph was taken of her flying around the Rowlands Gill area. In November 2009 Morgan and her partner WT53 were seen near their territory in the Derwent Valley. They went on to successfully fledge one chick, not tagged, in 2010.

In the summer of 2011, Morgan was found with a new partner WT B6 Golden Glider, at a new territory in Rowlands Gill, where they successfully fledged one chick, not tagged.

 

Latest Sighting:

June 2011 - Rowlands Gill, Gateshead - successfully fledged one chick with her new

partner WT B6.

 

 

Kite No:

45

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Orange

Kite Name:

Golden Rainbow

Born:

2005 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Female

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt a Kite School:

St Oswalds RC Primary School, Wrekenton, Gateshead

Brief Summary:

Since release, Golden Rainbow has spent the majority of her time in the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn. She was seen foraging and feeding at Lintz Hall Farm near Hamsterley Mill in August 2005. Her preferred roosts have varied between Barlow and Sherburn Tower Farm at Rowlands Gill. She has been regularly seen foraging and feeding in Barlow Burn and lower Derwent valley. On 17th June 2006, she was detected in Dorchester in Dorset where she stayed for several weeks before returning to Gateshead on 26th July. She was not detected again until April 2007, when a visual sighting confirmed she was in East Yorkshire.

Golden Rainbow paired up with a kite in east Yorkshire, they set up a territory though did not breed successfully.

By early 2008, Golden Rainbow was back in Gateshead. On the 24th February she was recorded near Sherburn Towers housing estate in Rowlands Gill. On 9th October 2008, Golden Rainbow was seen roosting near Sherburn Towers housing estate in Rowlands Gill, Gateshead.

After no sightings for over a year, in January 2010, we received information that she had twice been seen in the East Yorkshire area again. There have been no recorded sightings since.

Latest Sighting:

January 2010 - East Yorkshire

 

 

Kite No:

46

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Orange

Kite Name:

Super Newker Ruby

Born:

2005 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Female

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt a Kite School:

Newker Primary School, Chester le Street, Co Durham

Brief Summary:

Since release, WT46 has spent the majority of her time in the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn. She was seen foraging and feeding at Lintz Hall Farm near Hamsterley Mill in August 2005. Her preferred roosts have varied between Barlow and Sherburn Tower Farm at Rowlands Gill. She was seen regularly foraging and feeding in Barlow Burn and the lower Derwent valley until June. She has not been detected since 2nd June 2006.

Latest Sighting:

June 2006 - Lower Derwent Valley, Gateshead

 

 

Kite No:

47

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Orange

Kite Name:

Pippin

Born:

2005 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Female

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt a Kite School:

Glynwood Primary School, Gateshead

Brief Summary:

On the day of release, WT47 landed in the shallow water of Far Pasture pond in the Derwent Walk Country Park, after coming down to investigate a squabble between a mallard and a coot! WT47 soon flew off. Since her release, she has been regularly seen foraging and roosting in the Lower Derwent Valley. She has also been noted at Rainton Meadows in September 2005 and Springwell, east of Birtley in November 2005. Her preferred roost has varied between Gibside and Sherburn Tower Farm in Rowlands Gill. During May, she explored the Chester le Street area and was regularly seen in the Team Valley. She has not been detected since 1st June 2006. In August and October 2006, Pippin was detected with the kites in Teesdale. She travelled further south in late October and spent time near Barningham where she was last detected in early December 2006. She was not detected again until late February 2007 when she was recorded back in Gateshead.

On 30 April 2007, Pippin was seen in Wharfedale, Yorkshire and was thought to be nesting in the area. However, by mid-May she was detected near Wolsingham in Weardale, County Durham!

By the beginning of August 2007, Pippin had made her way to Langleydale in Teesdale and was seen trying to 'woo' the breeding male! She followed him through the wood, they were seen weaving in and out of the trees below the canopy.

In May 2008, her body was found dead on a nest in Wharfedale, Yorkshire, it was later confirmed she had been poisoned.

Latest Sighting:

May 2008 - Wharfedale, Yorkshire - deceased, confirmed poisoned

 

 

Kite No:

48

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Orange

Kite Name:

Nightfire

Born:

2005 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Male

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt a Kite School:

Frosterley Community Primary School, Frosterley, Co Durham

Brief Summary:

Since release, Nightfire has spent the majority of his time in the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn. He was seen foraging and feeding at Lintz Hall Farm near Hamsterley Mill in August 2005 and again in March 2006. His preferred roost was at Sherburn Tower Farm at Rowlands Gill and has been regularly seen foraging and feeding in Barlow Burn and the lower Derwent valley, until he left the Derwent Valley in early May. He arrived in Teesdale on 9th May to join the resident kites there. He has not been detected since 9th June 2006 when he was in Teesdale.

Having not been recorded for almost two years, Nightfire was finally seen on 27th June 2008. He was feeding on a hay crop with WT22 and several other kites at Beda Hills in Gateshead.

This has been followed by no detections since.

Latest Sighting:

June 2008 - Beda Hills, Gateshead - feeding on a hay crop with several other kites.

 

 

Kite No:

49

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Orange

Kite Name:

High Flier

Born:

2005 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Female

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt a Kite School:

Heddon St Andrews C of E First School, Heddon, Northumberland

Brief Summary:

For the first month after release, High Flier spent the majority of her time in the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn. She was last detected in the Lower Derwent Valley in September 2005 and has not been noted since.

Latest Sighting:

September 2005 - Lower Derwent Valley, Gateshead

 

 

Kite No:

50

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Orange

Kite Name:

Valiant

Born:

2005 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Female

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt a Kite School:

Branton County First School, Powburn, Northumberland

Brief Summary:

Since release, Valiant has spent the majority of her time in the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn. Her preferred roosts have varied between Barlow, Sherburn Tower Farm at Rowlands Gill and Gibside. She has been seen foraging and feeding in Barlow Burn and the lower Derwent valley. Valiant had not been detected in Gateshead since July 2006.

However, she was photographed in a roost in Monzie, central Scotland on 5th February 2007. Valiant was not seen again until early May 2008 when a report confirmed she was at Crieff in Central Scotland.

On 14th October 2008, Valiant was recorded at the red kite winter roost in Comrie, Perthshire in Scotland. It would definitely appear that Valiant has settled in Central Scotland. It is suspected that she may have bred in the area, however, this is unconfirmed.

Latest Sighting:

October 2008 - Comrie, Perthshire, Scotland - at red kite winter roost

 

 

Kite No:

51

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Orange

Kite Name:

Burning Wings

Born:

2005 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Male

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt a Kite School:

Stocksfield Avenue Primary School, Fenham, Newcastle

Brief Summary:

Since release, WT51 has spent the majority of his time in the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn. His preferred roosts have varied between Barlow, Sherburn Tower Farm at Rowlands Gill and Gibside. He has been seen foraging and feeding in Barlow Burn and the lower Derwent valley.

Having initially spent time with WT32 in early spring, Burning Wings finally paired up with WT21 (Winlaton Phoenix). The pair successfully raised one chick, the first red kite chick to be raised in Northumberland for over 170 years! This chick has been fitted with a leg ring and wing tags A5. The chick fledged late July 2007.

On 19th January 2008, Burning Wings was seen flying with WTA5 above Sherburn Towers housing estate in Rowlands Gill.

On 11th February 2008, Burning Wings was seen with five other kites (including mate WT21 and juvenile WTA5) feeding in a field and perching on fence posts just north of the Barlow Burn.

In spring 2008 Burning Wings and mate WT21 were seen displaying together, though they are not known to have nested.

On 22nd September 2008, Burning Wings was seen roosting with seventeen other kites near Sherburn Towers housing estate in Rowlands Gill, Gateshead.

He was recorded at this roost again on 2nd October 2008.

On 6th April 2009, Burning Wings was seen with partner WT21 perched in woodland near Wylam, their breeding attempt again failed this year.

In September 2009 he was sadly found dead underneath a pylon near Wylam, the autopsy confirmed electrocution.

Latest Sighting:

September 2009 - Wylam, Northumberland - deceased, electrocuted

 

 

Kite No:

52

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Orange

Kite Name:

Coco Carrion

Born:

2005 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Female

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt a Kite School:

Preston Grange Primary School, North Shields, North Tyneside

Brief Summary:

Since release, Coco Carrion has spent the majority of her time in the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn. Her preferred roosts have varied between Barlow, Sherburn Tower Farm at Rowlands Gill and Gibside. She has been seen foraging and feeding in Barlow Burn and the lower Derwent valley. Coco Carrion was last detected in Gateshead on August 21st 2006. She has since been exploring other areas.

Latest Sighting:

August 2006 - Gateshead

 

 

Kite No:

53

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Orange

Kite Name:

Winlaton Blaze

Born:

2005 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Male

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt a Kite School:

Parkhead Community Primary School, Winlaton, Gateshead

Brief Summary:

Since release, Winlaton Blaze has spent the majority of his time in the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn. His preferred roosts have varied between Barlow, Sherburn Tower Farm at Rowlands Gill and Gibside. He has been seen foraging and feeding in Barlow Burn and the lower Derwent valley.

In the spring, Winlaton Blaze and WT44 (Morgan) were regularly seen together. They set up a territory and have successfully raised two chicks! The chicks have been fitted with leg rings and wing tags A0 and A1 respectively. The chicks fledged in July 2007.

In spring 2008 Winlaton Blaze and WT44 paired up again, however, they did not successfully raise any chicks on this occasion.

On 4th January 2009, Winlaton Blaze was seen perched on top of a pine tree in Rowlands Gill, Gateshead. Two other kites were circling above calling to each other.

On the evening of 5th April 2009, Winlaton Blaze was seen perched in a tree in Rowlands Gill with WTC2 and an untagged first summer bird (a kite born in 2008). He and his partner were not known to have bred this year.

In November 2009 Winlaton Blaze and his partner WT44 were seen at pre-roost near their territory.

They had more success in 2010 and successfully fledged one chick, not tagged. In September he was identified with two other kites flying over Rowlands Gill.

In 2011 Winlaton Blaze and his new untagged partner failed in their breeding attempt. He was then seen in September on his territory in the company of 4 juveniles and an untagged adult.

30th December 2011 - Rowlands Gill, Gateshead - on territory with untagged partner.

 

Latest Sighting:

March 2012 - building new nest at an old site used in 2010


 

 

Kite No:

54

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Orange

Kite Name:

Fantastic Flying Fiona

Born:

2005 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Female

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt a Kite School:

Wark C of E First School, Wark, Northumberland

Brief Summary:

Since release, Fantastic Flying Fiona has spent the majority of her time in the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn. Her preferred roosts have varied between Barlow, Sherburn Tower Farm at Rowlands Gill and Gibside. She has been seen foraging and feeding in Barlow Burn and the lower Derwent valley. In April 2006, she was seen mating with WT3 in the Lower Derwent Valley where they set up a territory but did not nest. She summered in Gateshead but has not been detected since August 2006. However, in late November she returned and has been detected in Gateshead regularly over the last few months.

Fantastic Flying Fiona and WT42 (Thunderbird) were seen inspecting an old crows nest in early spring. They set up a territory and Fantastic Flying Fiona was first noted incubating during April 2007, however the nest was abandoned in early May.

Fantastic Flying Fiona has not been detected since early May 2007, however, her transmitter is no longer working so she can only be identified by a visual sighting.

One such sighting places Fantastic Flying Fiona at Sherburn Tower Farm in Rowlands Gill, Gateshead, on 15 October 2007.

She was then seen at Cut Thorn Farm near Gibside on 26th November 2007. This has been followed by no sightings since.

From early February 2008 Fantastic Flying Fiona has regularly been seen in the lower Derwent valley.

In spring 2008 Fantastic Flying Fiona and WT42 paired up again, however, they did not successfully raise any chicks.

On 10th March 2009, Fantastic Flying Fiona was seen with partner WT42 investigating woodland in the lower Derwent valley area of Gateshead. On 30th March 2009, WT42 was seen with Fantastic Flying Fiona feeding on a dead vole in the Derwent Walk Country Park, Gateshead. Their attempt at breeding in 2009 again failed, but she was identified flying over the lower Derwent Valley in October 2009.

Early on in the 2010 breeding season, she was observed on territory with her partner WT42, but not seen after this, WT42 was then noted to have paired up with WT16 Flag.

Latest Sighting:

March 2010 - Derwent Park, Gateshead - seen on territory with WT 42

 

 

Kite No:

55

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Orange

Kite Name:

Harrowgate Lightning

Born:

2005 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Female

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt a Kite School:

Harrowgate Hill Primary School, Darlington, Co Durham

Brief Summary:

Since release, Harrowgate Lightning has spent the majority of her time in the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn. Her preferred roosts have varied between Barlow, Sherburn Tower Farm at Rowlands Gill and Gibside. She was seen foraging and feeding in Barlow Burn and the lower Derwent valley until May. She has not been detected since 10th May 2006.

Latest Sighting:

May 2006 - lower Derwent Valley, Gateshead

 

 

Kite No:

56

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Orange

Kite Name:

Burnside Red Arrow

Born:

2005 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Male

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt a Kite School:

Burnside First School, Cramlington, Northumberland

Brief Summary:

Since release, Burnside Red Arrow has spent the majority of his time in the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn. His preferred roosts have varied between Barlow, Sherburn Tower Farm at Rowlands Gill and Gibside. He was seen regularly foraging and feeding in Barlow Burn and the lower Derwent valley until mid May when he explored the Wolsingham area and near Lanchester. He returned to Gateshead on 17th May. He was last detected in Gateshead on 20th July. However, in late November he returned and has been detected in Gateshead regularly over the last few months.

In spring 2007, Burnside Red Arrow set up a territory with WT38 (Harlow Harrier. They built a nest and have successfully raised two chicks! The chicks have been fitted with leg rings and wing tags B1 and B0 respectively. B0 fledged mid-July 2007, however, sibling B1 had to be taken into rehabilitation after being found soaked through and underweight at the bottom of the nest tree. Following several weeks in rehab B1 was released back into the Derwent valley in late-July, after being fitted with a radio transmitter.

Burnside Red Arrow is regularly recorded with Harlow Harrier in the Barlow area of Gateshead.

In spring 2008, Burnside Red Arrow and WT38 paired up again and successfully raised two chicks. The chicks have been fitted with leg rings and wing tags B4 and B5 respectively. Both chicks fledged mid-July 2008, however, not long after fledging B5 was predated upon by most likely a fox.

On 28th January 2009, Burnside Red Arrow was seen perched in a tree with partner WT38 in the Beda Hills area of Rowlands Gill. They again successfully raised two chicks, not tagged.

Once again, in 2010, this pair successfully fledged one chick, tagged D3.

In January 2011, the pair were noted on their territory, in the company of D0 - a 2010 chick, and another untagged juvenile.

Burnside Red Arrow and partner Harlow Harrier then went on to successfully fledge another chick, tagged E3, at Beda Hills.

Latest Sighting:

March 2012 - refurbishing last years nest.


 

 

Kite No:

57

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Orange

Kite Name:

Langleydale Traveller

Born:

2005 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Female

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt a Kite School:

Woodland Primary School, Co Durham

Brief Summary:

For the first month after release, Langleydale Traveller stayed around the Lower Derwent Valley. In September 2005, she was detected foraging near Frosterley in Weardale and arrived in Teesdale, joining WT5 (a male) and WT23 (a female) in October 2005. All three kites have remained in this area flying and foraging between woodland near Eggleston and near Kinninvie. She has since been identified paired with WT5! The pair successfully raised two chicks that fledged in late July 2006.

Sadly Phoenix (WT5) was fatally injured in an accident in May 2007. However, Langleydale Traveller has since paired up with a pale coloured kite that has been in the Teesdale area for a while. They have successfully raised a chick that fledged in late July. The chick was fitted with a leg ring and wing tags A7.

Langleydale Traveller is regularly detected in the Eggleston area of Teesdale. On 7th January 2008, she was seen flying over Folly Top, Eggleston.

In spring 2008 Langleydale Traveller bred successfully with her new mate for a second consecutive year. They raised at least one chick that fledged in July 2008.

Latest Sighting:

July 2008 - Langleydale, Teesdale - successfully fledged at least one chick with her untagged partner

 

 

Kite No:

58

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Orange

Kite Name:

Redwenna

Born:

2005 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Female

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt a Kite School:

St Godrics RC VA Primary School, Durham

Brief Summary:

Since release, Redwenna has spent the majority of her time in the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn. Her preferred roosts have varied between Barlow, Sherburn Tower Farm at Rowlands Gill and Gibside. She was regularly seen foraging and feeding in Barlow Burn and the lower Derwent valley until March. She has not been detected since 24th March 2006.

On 17th July 2007, a faint signal was picked up for Redwenna in the Derwent Valley, Gateshead. This has been followed by no detections since.

Latest Sighting:

July 2007 - Derwent Valley, Gateshead

 

 

Kite No:

59

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Orange

Kite Name:

Crookhill Blaze

Born:

2005 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Male

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt a Kite School:

Crookhill Primary School, Ryton, Gateshead

Brief Summary:

Since release, WT59 has spent the majority of his time in the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn. His preferred roosts have varied between Barlow, Sherburn Tower Farm at Rowlands Gill and Gibside. He has been seen foraging and feeding in Barlow Burn and the lower Derwent valley.

In February 2007 Crookhill Blaze had been detected several times near Wylam in the Tyne Valley, on one occasion with WT21, as well as at his usual haunts around Barlow.

Crookhill Blaze has paired up with WT24 (Starfire). The pair are known to have successfully raised one chick that fledged earlier than expected at the beginning of July. The chick left the nest before any wing tags were fitted making it a truly wild kite. Reports of a family party of kites consisting of two adults and two juveniles were received in early July. This was in the territory of Crookhill Blaze & Starfire, prompting suspicions that they managed to raise two chicks!

During the winter months Crookhill Blaze has regularly been roosting near Sherburn Towers housing estate in Rowlands Gill.

It is unconfirmed if Crookhill Blaze and WT24 bred in 2008. However, an unconfirmed pair have raised two chicks in the Rowlands Gill area, one of these chicks has been fitted with a leg ring and wing tags B2. It is suspected that Crookhill Blaze and WT24 are the parents.

Since mid-November 2008, Crookhill Blaze has regularly been recorded at the red kite winter roost near Sherburn Towers housing estate in Rowlands Gill, Gateshead.

In 2009 Crookhill Blaze and his partner successfully fledged two chicks, not tagged. In September and October 2009, he was noted at the winter roost at Sherburn Towers on three occasions.

This pair failed in their breeding attempts in 2010, but the following year were successful in fledging two chicks at Spen Banks Wood, not tagged.

Latest Sighting:

March 2012 - refurbishing last years nest.

 

 

Kite No:

60

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Orange

Kite Name:

Welbeck Whistler

Born:

2005 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Female

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt a Kite School:

Welbeck Community First School, Ashington, Northumberland

Brief Summary:

Since release, Welbeck Whistler has spent the majority of her time in the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn. Her preferred roosts have varied between Barlow, Sherburn Tower Farm at Rowlands Gill and Gibside. She has been seen foraging and feeding in Barlow Burn and the lower Derwent valley.

In early spring 2007, Welbeck Whistler was seen carrying sticks with WT42. However, WT42 eventually paired up with WT54. Welbeck Whistler is still regularly seen in the Gateshead area, often around Barlow Burn.

During the winter months Welbeck Whistler has regularly been roosting near Sherburn Towers housing estate in Rowlands Gill and also at Gibside.

In Spring 2008, Welbeck Whistler was seen displaying with WT77 (Broady Whipper) in the Derwent valley. They built a nest together but did not successfully raise any chicks.

On 8th September 2008, Welbeck Whistler was seen near Thornley Woodlands Centre in Rowlands Gill, Gateshead.

On 22nd September 2008, Welbeck Whistler was seen roosting with twenty two other kites near Sherburn Towers housing estate in Rowlands Gill, Gateshead.

She was seen in Gateshead at the end of January 2009, and went on to successfully fledge one chick, untagged, with her partner WT77.

In 2010, Welbeck Whistler had changed partners and paired up with WT C1 Angel, successfully fledging two chicks on the Gibside Estate, these were tagged D6 & D7.

In 2011 this pair (partner wing tag C1) again successfully fledged two chicks, tagged E4 & E5.

19th December - perched on a pylon at pre roost near Hollinside Manor in the Derwent Valley, Gateshead.

 

Latest Sighting:

March 2012 - refurbishing last years nest with partner WTC1

 

 

Kites released in 2004 (Wing Tags 1 - 20)

Kite No:

1

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Yellow

Kite Name:

Speedy

Born:

2004 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Male

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt/Befriend a Kite School:

Rowlands Gill Primary School, Rowlands Gill, Gateshead

Brief Summary:

Speedy spent much of his first year in the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn, taking a trip to Warden Law near Houghton-le-Spring with WT14 and four kites from outside the region in October 2004. Mainly, he was flying over, and roosting in, the Rowlands Gill area. In summer 2005, he was often seen with WT3, visiting the kite pens calling to the young kites awaiting release. He disappeared from Gateshead in late June 2005 and has not been back in the area since. In early February 2006 Speedy was detected in the Chilterns; he was last recorded in this area on 7th June 2006. Recent radio tracking by the South of England Kite Group had not detected Speedy. However, the battery on his transmitter will be losing power therefore he may only be detected by a visual sighting. One such report was received in March 2007 when a photograph confirmed that Speedy was in the Harrogate area of Yorkshire!

Speedy remains in Yorkshire and has bred with an untagged female. They have successfully raised three chicks that fledged in July 2007. In spring 2008 Speedy and his mate bred successfully for a second consecutive year. They have managed to raise an incredible four chicks, all of which fledged in July 2008. Though there are breeding birds at the nest site used by Speedy and his mate in 2008, it is likely that this couple have returned to use their previous nest site.

Speedy is believed to have continued breeding successfully in Yorkshire raising two chicks each year in 2009,2010 and now in 2011.

Latest Sighting:

August 2011 - Yorkshire - Successfully raised two chicks with his partner

 

 

Kite No:

2

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Yellow

Kite Name:

Scarlet

Born:

2004 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Female

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt/Befriend a Kite School:

St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Blaydon, Gateshead

Brief Summary:

Scarlet is the greatest documented traveller of any of the kites released. A few weeks after release in September 2004, she was reported at Gigrin Farm feeding station, in mid-Wales. On 12th March 2005 she was detected in the Chilterns; by 31st March 2005 she was back in Gateshead! In early April, she was tracked heading south near Catterick in north Yorkshire. She returned to Gateshead by 6th April, disappeared, returned briefly in June and then left again. In early August 2005, she was found with the Yorkshire red kites near the Harewood Estate, to the north of Leeds. She has been reported there ever since. During March and April 2006, Scarlet was seen displaying with an untagged male who she mated with and successfully raised two chicks while nesting in a larch tree. Both chicks fledged in late July 2006. Scarlet remains in Yorkshire and has bred successfully for a second consecutive year. Scarlet and her mate have raised one chick that fledged in July 2007. In spring 2008 Scarlet and her mate bred successfully for a third consecutive year. They have raised two chicks that fledged in July 2008. Though there are breeding birds at the nest site used by Scarlet and her mate in 2008, it is likely that this couple have returned to use their previous nest site.

Scarlet is believed to have continued breeding successfully in Yorkshire raising two chicks in 2009, three chicks in 2010 and two in 2011.

Latest Sighting:

August 2011 - Yorkshire - Successfully raised two chicks with her partner

 

 

Kite No:

3

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Yellow

Kite Name:

Scarlet Feather

Born:

2004 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Male

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt/Befriend a Kite School:

Blaydon West Primary School, Blaydon, Gateshead

Brief Summary:

Since release, Scarlet Feather has spent the majority of his time in the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn. In early summer 2005, he was seen visiting the kite release pens, often with WT1, calling to the young kites. In late May 2005, he moved south more than 35 miles and joined WT5 in Teesdale. They were joined in August by WT23. Scarlet Feather stayed until 19th September when he was noted leaving Teesdale at 11.30am and flying over High Spen at 12.45 on the same morning. (A journey of over 35 miles in less than 1hour 15minutes.) He spent the winter feeding and roosting in the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn. Since February 2006, he has regularly been noted over the Gibside estate, and was seen in April 2006, mating with WT54, a female kite released in 2005. He spent some of his summer months in Teesdale with other kites that have settled there. He was detected on 8th June 2006, near Eggleston.

Scarlet Feather was then not detected for some time, until he was photographed flying over High Thornley on the 7th November 2009.

Latest Sighting:

November 2009 - Gateshead - flying over High Thornley

 

 

Kite No:

4

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Yellow

Kite Name:

Twilight

Born:

2004 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Male

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt/Befriend a Kite School:

Washingwell Community Primary School, Whickham, Gateshead

Brief Summary:

Twilight spent most of his first nine months in Gateshead's lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn. In April 2005, he departed the area. He was last noted, being mobbed by crows, in the Iveston area, near Lanchester, Co Durham on 11th April 2005. Twilight's transmitter signal was detected in Gateshead on 30th Oct 2006. However, this is an unconfirmed report.

Latest Sighting:

October 2006 - Gateshead - unconfirmed report

 

 

Kite No:

5

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Yellow

Kite Name:

Phoenix

Born:

2004 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Male

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt/Befriend a Kite School:

Ryton Community Juniors School, Ryton, Gateshead

Brief Summary:

Phoenix began travelling from Gateshead three days after release when he was reported flying over Scotswood in Newcastle. He returned briefly to the Lower Derwent Valley, before heading south to the Derwent Reservoir where he stayed for much of August. By early September, he travelled to Hamsterley Forest and onwards to Teesdale, where he remained. In early June 2005, he was joined by WT3 (a male) followed by WT23 (a female) in August. WT3 left in September and was replaced in October by a female, WT57. All three kites foraged and roosted together between the villages of Eggleston and Kinninvie over the winter. They were also seen flying with buzzards. Phoenix and WT57 spent the most time together and were seen inspecting an old crow's nest in November 2005 and displaying over woodland in March/April 2006 showing interest in a buzzard's old nest. He has since been identified paired with WT57! The two paired up and successfully raised two chicks that fledged in late July 2006. He was last detected on 8th June 2006, near Eggleston.

Sadly, in late May 2007, Phoenix was fatally injured in a road traffic accident. He was found by a road between Hamsterley and Witton-le-Wear, approximately seven miles north of his usual Teesdale haunts. Despite the valiant efforts of up to 15 people in the Teesdale area, it was not possible to save Phoenix. Sadly, due to the extent and severity of his injuries, Phoenix had to be euthanased.

Latest Sighting:

May 2007 - Teesdale - Deceased - Road Traffic Accident

 

 

Kite No:

6

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Yellow

Kite Name:

Flame

Born:

2004 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Male

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt/Befriend a Kite School:

Highfield Community Primary School, Highfield, Gateshead

Brief Summary:

Since release, Flame rarely moved from the lower Derwent valley. In late June 2005, he was seen at Ruffside, close to the Derwent Reservoir but he was back in the lower Derwent valley from early July. He was seen spending time with WT7 in spring 2005 and playing 'uncle' with several juveniles released in summer 2005. From mid January 2006, Flame paired up with WT19. They were regularly seen together around Rowlands Gill. In early April 2006, they built a nest locally, but sadly, their nesting attempt failed as the strong winds in May blew their nest out of the tree!

Flame and Ruby (WT19) built a new nest in spring 2007, thankfully this time the nest remained in the tree! They successfully raised one chick that fledged in late July 2007. The chick was fitted with a leg ring and wing tags A2.

Flame and Ruby bred successfully for a second successive year, raising one chick. The chick was fitted with a leg ring and wing tags B6. WTB6 fledged in July 2008.On 28th July 2008, Flame was seen at Gibside National Trust estate perched in a tree with juvenile, B6.

On 12th November 2008, Flame was observed drinking from a pool near Sherburn Towers housing estate in Rowlands Gill, Gateshead.

In 2009 Flame and Ruby successfully fledged one chick (not tagged), but failed in their breeding attempts in 2010. Flame was seen regularly in December 2010 over gardens in Rowlands Gill. In 2011 Flame and Ruby again attempted and failed in raising any chicks.

18th December 2011 - perched in tree near the bottom of Thornlry Lane, Rowlands Gill.

Latest Sighting:

March 2012 - refurbishing last years nest with partner WT19

 

 

Kite No:

7

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Yellow

Kite Name:

Scarlet Flame

Born:

2004 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Female

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt/Befriend a Kite School:

Rowlands Gill Juniors School, Rowlands Gill, Gateshead

Brief Summary:

WT7 spent much of her first autumn and winter in the lower Derwent valley and the Barlow Burn making a few short journeys into the Tyne valley towards Prudhoe and Ovington. In spring 2005, she seemed to have paired off with WT6, however, this did not last long and she left the area on 13th May 2005. She was detected back in the lower Derwent valley in November 2005 and she was not detected again until 14th December 2006 when she returned to Gateshead. She has not been detected since.

 

 

Latest Sighting:

December 2006 - Gateshead

 

 

Kite No:

8

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Yellow

Kite Name:

Rufus

Born:

2004 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Male

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt/Befriend a Kite School:

Heworth Grange Comprehensive School, Felling, Gateshead

Brief Summary:

Rufus spent most of his first autumn and winter in the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn. In spring 2005, he paired up with WT19, displaying above woodland where they set up a territory. They did not breed but built a nest on the ground! Rufus left the Lower Derwent valley in June 2005, and was noted at the Derwent Reservoir and then close to Stainton village, nr. Barnard Castle a few days later. He returned to Rowlands Gill in July 2005. In August 2005, his signal was detected heading up the Tyne Valley and again on 5th September. He returned to Gateshead April 2006 then was not seen again until a report in February 2007 confirmed Rufus was in Doune, in central Scotland. He has not been detected since.

Latest Sighting:

February 2007 - Doune, Scotland

 

 

Kite No:

9

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Yellow

Kite Name:

Marley's Flame

Born:

2004 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Male

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt/Befriend a Kite School:

Marley Hill Community Primary School, Marley Hill, Gateshead

Brief Summary:

Since release, Marley's Flame spent most of his time in the lower Derwent valley and the Barlow Burn. He favoured Barlow Fell and Barlow village and remained in this area throughout much of the spring and summer of 2005. In late May 2005, reports were received of a kite that was 'clipped' by a car on Barlow Fell. According to the driver, the bird received a glancing blow but flew away, apparently uninjured. It was probably Marley's Flame, and from this date, his radio transmitter began to develop an intermittent fault, which has since stopped working completely. From wing tag sighting reports, he was seen over Shotley Bridge in June 2005, and then returned to the lower Derwent valley and was seen in September 2005. In April 2006, a visual sighting confirmed that Marley's Flame was in the lower Derwent valley.

He has not been detected since.

Latest Sighting:

April 2006 - Lower Derwent Valley

 

 

Kite No:

10

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Yellow

Kite Name:

Flash

Born:

2004 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Male

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt/Befriend a Kite School:

Winlaton West Lane Community Primary School, Winlaton, Gateshead

Brief Summary:

Flash spent his first few weeks after release in the lower Derwent valley. On the 31st August 2004, he was tracked in the Tyne valley, near Prudhoe. In early October 2004, his transmitter frequency was tracked to an area in Tynedale and did not change location or from a flying signal indicating that the bird might be dead. Eventually his 'corpse' was located and, with Police assistance, recovered. Flash's body was found within 60cm of rabbit and pheasant carcasses and poisoning was suspected. The remains of the kite were sent for analysis and a Police investigation commenced. A few days before Christmas 2004, confirmation was received that Flash had been poisoned using Carbofuran (a pesticide). On 28th January 2005, Flash's death was announced at a press conference at Gateshead Civic Centre which was followed by a huge wave of public concern about this illegal act and the story was very extensively covered in the media.

Latest Sighting:

October 2004 - Tynedale - Deceased, confirmed poisoned

 

 

Kite No:

11

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Yellow

Kite Name:

Spark

Born:

2004 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Male

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt/Befriend a Kite School:

Harlow Green Infants School, Low Fell, Gateshead

Brief Summary:

Spark spent his first few weeks after release in the lower Derwent valley. In August he ventured east and unfortunately became the victim of a road traffic accident on the A1 in the Team Valley. Veterinary examination revealed a cracked wing bone and after six months of rehabilitation was released back to the wild on 19th April 2005. Unfortunately, he was taken back into captivity a few days later, after being picked up by a member of the public. After a further two weeks of rehabilitation, and an attempted 'soft -release', with ongoing access to food and an aviary, he was eventually re-captured and taken for further examination and treatment to the London Zoo animal hospital. Here, he was found to have a severe 'leg' infection (nothing to do with the original injuries) and in July, after treatment, was recovering well. In late July 2005, he returned to the northeast for further rehabilitation in captivity. In autumn 2005, he was joined in his aviary by WT78, a female also requiring rehabilitation. It was hoped, with regular exercise, that Spark's flight muscles would build up sufficiently so he could be released back to the wild. Sadly, Spark died of natural causes in mid-June 2007.

It was decided to offer Spark to the- then Hancock Museum. A taxidermist prepared his body and he now flies in the Northumbria section of the re-named Great North Museum.

Latest Sighting:

June 2007 - Gateshead - Deceased, natural causes

 

 

Kite No:

12

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Yellow

Kite Name:

Thunderbolt

Born:

2004 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Male

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt/Befriend a Kite School:

Fellside Community Primary School, Whickham, Gateshead

Brief Summary:

Thunderbolt spent most of his first autumn and winter in the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn. He ventured near Tanfield in April 2005 and then disappeared from the area in mid-May, along with several other kites. He was noted again in the Barlow Burn in late June 2005, and after another short period of absence, he re-appeared, albeit briefly, near Hamsterley Mill in the Derwent valley on 11th July 2005. Another brief visit on 2nd October 2005 was followed by no detections since.

Latest Sighting:

October 2005 - Gateshead

 

 

Kite No:

13

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Yellow

Kite Name:

Lightning

Born:

2004 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Male

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt/Befriend a Kite School:

Bill Quay Primary School, Pelaw, Gateshead

Brief Summary:

For the first two months after release, Lightning spent most of his time in the Team Valley area, feeding and roosting around Kibblesworth, Lamesley and Watergate Forest Park, often seen with WT14 (a female). By mid-October 2004, he had disappeared from the local area.

Lightning was spotted in February 2005 in the Wynyard Estate when a local bird watcher read his Wing Tags. Reports had been received over that winter of a kite in the Trimdon Grange area (not far from Wynyard), which is likely to have been Lightning. He was detected again in March 2005 where he was noted near Rushyford, County Durham. During this month, he was noted heading up the Wear Valley with sightings at Witton-le-Wear, Fir Tree and then into the Derwent Valley near Waskerley on 21st March 2005.

Reports were then received between the end of March and July 2005 of a kite in Northumberland with sightings near Otterburn and near Wooler. Lightning has since been detected back in the lower Derwent valley in August 2005.

Lightning was detected on 18th April 2006 in the Blanchland area and again in Barlow Burn on 30th October 2006. Lightning was not detected for several months until a report in mid-February 2007 confirmed he was near Barlow. This has been followed by no detections since

Latest Sighting:

February 2007 - Barlow, Gateshead

 

 

Kite No:

14

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Yellow

Kite Name:

Scarlet Birtley Beast

Born:

2004 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Female

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt/Befriend a Kite School:

Birtley East Community Primary School, Birtley, Gateshead

Brief Summary:

For the first three months after release, Scarlet Birtley Beast was seen regularly in the Team Valley area with sightings near Sunniside, Lamesley, Ravensworth estate and Watergate Forest Park. She was often in the company of WT13. In October 2004, she was detected at Warden Law, near Houghton-le-Spring with WT1 and four kites from outside the region. She was regularly detected back in the Team Valley until January 2005 when she was found close to Seghill/Backworth, in North Tyneside. She remained here until April 2005, when she moved west of Newcastle to the Heddon-on-the-Wall and Ponteland area. Subsequent reports of a kite near Newcastle Airport, Woolsington and over Cramlington (on 26th June 2005) probably refer to this bird. She was detected briefly in October 2005 and has not been detected since.

However, in spring 2007, a photograph was taken of a kite at Saughtree in the Scottish borders, north west of Kielder. The kite had pink and yellow wing tags so was definitely a Northern kite. The numbers on the wing tags were not clear on the photograph so the photograph was sent away to be analysed. Unfortunately, the results of the analysis were inconclusive, however, the consensus is that the number on the wing tags is most likely to be 14. This has been followed by no detections since.

Latest Sighting:

Spring 2007 - Scottish Borders - probable sighting

 

 

Kite No:

15

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Yellow

Kite Name:

Red Philip

Born:

2004 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Male

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt/Befriend a Kite School:

St Philip Neri RC Primary School, Dunston, Gateshead

Brief Summary:

Since release, Red Philip has spent most of his time in the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn. He was briefly taken into captivity in August 2004, when he was thought to be injured. After examination showed he was fit and well, he was released back to the wild the next day. In spring 2005, he set up a first year territory with WT16, but did not breed. In late May he moved out of the area but was back on 8th July, over Rowlands Gill as 2005's first young kites were released into the Derwent valley. He then disappeared from the area again but returned in September and has stayed locally since. In November 2005, it was noted that his radio transmitter had stopped working but his wing tags have been read indicating his health and presence. In April 2006, it was discovered he had paired up once again with Flag, WT16. They successfully built a nest, laid eggs and, in late May, hatched the first red kite chicks in northeast England for nearly 200 years! One chick was successfully raised and fledged the nest in late July 2006. The young chick has since been named 'Geordie'.

Flag and Red Philip successfully bred again. In spring 2007 they built a nest in the Derwent Walk Country Park, approximately 350 metres northwest of their 2006 nest site. Two chicks were successfully raised which fledged in mid-July 2007. Both chicks have been fitted with wing tags A3 & A4 respectively and leg rings.

Flag and Red Philip bred successfully for a third consecutive year. In spring 2008 they built a new nest in the Derwent Walk Country Park, about 60-70 metres downstream from their 2007 nest. They raised two chicks that have been fitted with leg rings and wing tags B7 and B8 respectively. Both chicks fledged in July 2008.

One of Flag and Red Philip's chicks from 2007 bred successfully at one year old! In spring 2008, WTA4 (Farra Flame) was seen displaying with WT71 (Sky Dancer) they went on to build a nest together and had two chicks, one of which was raised to fledging. This chick has been fitted with a leg ring and wing tags B9 and fledged in July 2008. WTA4 therefore made WT15 and WT16 grandparents at the ripe old age of four years old!

During March 2009, Red Philip and mate WT16 refurbished their 2008 nest and hatched two chicks, but failed to successfully fledge them. The chicks appear to have fallen from the nest, one was recovered from below the nest, and taken in to re-hab. It was tagged C6, and later released, but was found dead a few weeks later. The other chick was never found.

Red Philip was seen at the winter roost in Snipes Dene in January 2010. In March 2010 he and Flag started to refurbish their old nest, but this was then abandoned, and Flag took up with WT 42 Thunderbird, just down stream, neither pair raised chicks this season.

In the winter of 2010/2011 Red Philip was regularly seen at the Pre-roost at Hollinside Manor, or on his territory, sometimes in the company of WT 43 Swift.

In 2011, Swift was confirmed as his new partner, and together they built a new nest within his territory in the Derwent Country Park. They successfully fledged three chicks, (a first for Red Philip), two of which were tagged, E8 & E9, the third being too small to tag. The nest was also found to contain the head of a soft toy bear as decoration. The family have since been seen together in the area of the nest location.

Recorded regularly during the winter of 2011/2012 with partner and family at roost and pre roost .

Latest Sighting:

March 2012 - refurbishing last years nest with partner WT43.

 

 

Kite No:

16

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Yellow

Kite Name:

Flag

Born:

2004 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Female

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt/Befriend a Kite School:

Oakfield Infants School, Low Fell, Gateshead

Brief Summary:

Since release, Flag has spent most of her time in the Lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn. She has shown a particular liking for the Barlow Burn area, where she spent much of her daytimes foraging in local pastures. In spring 2005, she set up a territory with WT15, but did not breed. In July 2005, she was recorded in the Yorkshire red kite release area, near the Harewood Estate. She soon returned to Gateshead and has stayed since. In April 2006, it was discovered she had paired up once again with Red Philip, WT15. They successfully built a nest, laid eggs and, in late May, hatched the first red kite chicks in northeast England for nearly 200 years!One chick was successfully raised and fledged the nest in late July 2006. The young chick has since been named 'Geordie'.

Flag and Red Philip successfully bred again. In spring 2007 they built a nest in the Derwent Walk Country Park, approximately 350 metres northwest of their 2006 nest site. Two chicks were successfully raised which fledged in mid-July 2007. Both chicks have been fitted with wing tags A3 & A4 respectively and leg rings.

On 10th September 2007, Flag was observed foraging in a cut hay field, just south of Gibside, with seven other kites.

Flag and Red Philip bred successfully for a third consecutive year. In spring 2008 they built a new nest in the Derwent Walk Country Park, about 60-70 metres downstream from their 2007 nest. They raised two chicks that have been fitted with leg rings and wing tags B7 and B8 respectively. Both chicks fledged in July 2008.

One of Flag and Red Philip's chicks from 2007 bred successfully at one year old! In spring 2008, WTA4 (Farra Flame) was seen displaying with WT71 (Sky Dancer) they went on to build a nest together and had two chicks, one of which was raised to fledging. This chick has been fitted with a leg ring and wing tags B9 and fledged in July 2008. WTA4 therefore made WT15 and WT16 grandparents at the ripe old age of four years old!

During March 2009, Flag and Red Philip refurbished their 2008 nest and hatched two chicks, but failed to successfully fledge them. The chicks appear to have fallen from the nest, one was recovered from below the nest, and taken in to re-hab. It was tagged C6, and later released, but was found dead a few weeks later. The other chick was never found.

In March 2010 Flag and Red Philip started to refurbish their old nest, but this was then abandoned, and Flag took up with WT 42 Thunderbird, just down river, neither pair raised chicks this season.

Throughout the winter of 2010/2011 Flag was a regular visitor to the pre-roost at Hollinside Manor.

In 2011 she was seen nest building with her partner Thunderbird at a new site near Hollinside Manor, but again, they failed to raise any chicks.

In August 2011 she was spotted perched with her partner at their 2010 nest site, with WT D4 and an untagged juvenile in attendance.

Recorded regularly with partner WT42, on territory, at pre roost (Hollinside Manor) and at roost  (Snipes Dene).

Latest Sighting:

March 2012 - refurbishing old nest with partner, WT42, at the Slide which that used in 2010.

 

 

Kite No:

17

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Yellow

Kite Name:

Squeaker

Born:

2004 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Male

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt/Befriend a Kite School:

St Joseph's Catholic Junior School, Birtley, Gateshead

Brief Summary:

Squeaker (so named as he often squeaked) was the smallest of the young kites released in 2004 and initially required special care at the Project Manager's house to ensure the other kites did not bully him and that he got some food. After a few days, he was placed in the aviaries with other young birds. He was released and spent his first two months in the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn. On 8th October 2004, a member of the public found him with a badly injured wing in the Barlow Burn and circumstances suggested a road traffic accident, close to Pawston Birks. Sadly, after inspection and initial treatment by local vets, it was determined that the injury was not treatable and the bird had to be destroyed.

Latest Sighting:

October 2004 - Barlow Burn, Gateshead - Deceased, injuries probably due to a RTA

 

 

Kite No:

18

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Yellow

Kite Name:

Zeus

Born:

2004 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Male

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt/Befriend a Kite School:

Front Street Community Primary School, Whickham, Gateshead

Brief Summary:

Since release, Zeus has spent most of his time in the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn. Between April and June 2005, he was recorded further afield with sightings reported from the Derwent Reservoir, Muggleswick, upstream of Shotley Bridge and near Waskerley. On 15th July 2005, he was reported at Snod's Edge, near Shotley Bridge and later the same day flying south past Spennymoor in County Durham. By the end of October, he had returned to Gateshead. In January 2006, it was noted that his transmitter signal was weakening, indicating the battery power was diminishing. Zeus was detected in March and June 2006 in the lower Derwent valley.

Zeus was not detected again for over two years! On 24th October 2008, a photograph was taken of Zeus, he was near Beverley in East Yorkshire.

Latest Sighting:

October 2008 - Beverley, East Yorkshire

 

 

Kite No:

19

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Yellow

Kite Name:

Ruby

Born:

2004 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Female

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt/Befriend a Kite School:

Lingey House Primary School, Felling, Gateshead

Brief Summary:

Since release, Ruby has spent most of her time in the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn. In spring 2005, she paired up with WT8, displaying above woodland where they set up a territory. They did not breed but built a nest on the ground! She visited 'Crooked Oak' near Muggleswick in June 2005 but otherwise has spent her time in Gateshead. In mid January 2006, Ruby paired up with WT6. They are regularly seen together around Rowlands Gill and in early April was seen carrying twigs and displaying above woodland. In mid January 2006, Ruby paired up with WT6.They built a nest but, unfortunately, in May it was blown out of the tree by strong winds.

Summer 2007 proved to be third time lucky for Ruby, having built a nest in 2005 & 2006 she finally managed to build a nest that stood the test of time and, along with her mate Flame (WT6), successfully raised a chick! The chick, which has been fitted with a leg ring and wing tags A2, fledged in late July 2007.

Ruby and Flame bred successfully for a second successive year, raising one chick. The chick has been fitted with a leg ring and wing tags B6. WTB6 fledged in July 2008.

On 2nd October 2008, Ruby was seen near Sherburn Towers housing estate in Rowlands Gill, Gateshead.

In 2009 Ruby and her partner Flame successully fledged one chick, not tagged. But in both 2010 and 2011, Ruby and her partner Flame, again attempted to breed, but failed at the incubation stage.

Latest Sighting:

March 2012 - refurbishing last years nest with partner WT6

 

 

Kite No:

20

Wing Tag Left/Right:

Pink / Yellow

Kite Name:

Spike

Born:

2004 Chilterns

Male/Female:

Male

Parents:

Unknown

Adopt/Befriend a Kite School:

Ryton Community Infant School, Ryton, Gateshead

Brief Summary:

Spike spent most of his first autumn and winter in the lower Derwent valley and in late winter 2004, he was roosting near Sherburn Tower Farm, Rowlands Gill. He was recorded at the Derwent Reservoir in April 2005 and was last reported in the lower Derwent valley in May 2005. He briefly returned to Rowlands Gill in October 2005 and was detected again at the top of the Derwent valley on 3rd January 2006.He has not been detected since.

Latest Sighting:

January 2006 - Top of Derwent Valley