FoRK Roost counts -Contributing to the National Roost Figure

As expected, the number of roosting red kites increased as we got deeper into winter, and, as in previous years, the Friends of Red Kites Monitoring Team took part in the National Roosting Red Kite Survey. This year’s count took place on Sunday 8thJanuary. At one point, in mid-afternoon it looked as though the event might be a wash out but it did clear through before dusk and conditions improved significantly. 

Fifteen volunteers covered 6 locations, places known to be current roost sites or which had been used in the past. A total of 85 red kites were recorded with the majority coming from the two traditional sites at Hamsterley Mill and Gibside, with the former holding 65 kites and the latter recording 20 birds. This number is down from the 94 kites recorded last year but this could be due to the heavy rain earlier in the afternoon, with birds preferring to stay where they were instead of making the flight back home to roost.

Feedback from the UK Co-ordinator of the National Red Kite Roost Survey indicates an increase in numbers nationally from last year with Scotland recording over 1000 for the first time ever. Numbers in England were 2257, up 28% from last year. 

The UK national figures have been forwarded on to be included in Europe’s figures.

Many thanks to all the volunteers who took part in the survey.

The kites are now in the process of establishing territories and will shortly be building/refurbishing

nests in preparation for raising this year’s broods. Let us hope for another good breeding season.

Ken Sanderson 

Kite Monitoring Officer 

Summary 

Eight locations in Gateshead's Derwent Valley, Durham and south east Northumberland were covered, involving twenty volunteers, produced a record count of ninety four red kites.  

Detailed report 

The main roost count of the winter was our participation in the National Red Kite Roost Count which took place on Sunday 9th January 2022. Eight locations were surveyed in the Derwent Valley and beyond, achieving a best ever count of 94 red kites. Although some locations those locations returned either zero or very low numbers the survey work carried out is still valuable and adds to our knowledge of kite distribution and behaviour. It's just as important to know what locations are not being used. All round, a fantastic result which supports the notion that our red kite population is still increasing.   As expected by far the biggest count was at one of the main roosts of previous years, near Hamsterley Mill, in the Pontburn Valley, where seventy four kites eventually dropped into roost. The count here was very complicated with birds at pre roost spread out over a wide area, with many birds taking to the air at times. But having observers on both sides of the valley ensured we got an accurate count when they all drifted over to final roost. Wing tags S1 and T3 were identified at pre roost. Of concern was the fact that 3 kites were noted to have damaged feathers giving rise to suspicions that they might have been shot at. 

Lower down in the Derwent Valley 15 kites roosted in the trees above Lockhaugh Meadow, alongside the Derwent Walk, opposite the Gibside Estate. Just prior to this, over a period of 30 minutes nine kites had drifted into the area and circled over Hollinside Manor Wood. But the group plus another 3 then headed over towards Gibside, Not wanting to settle there either13 birds then then drifted over to the meadow and after a long time circling the birds eventually settled. Two late arrivals, long after sunset, made the total fifteen.  

One bird roosted in the Hollinside Manor Wood. Elsewhere 3 kites were noted at Sherburn Towers and the south east corner of Spen Banks, a single bird at Hollinside Manor and a single kite at Causey Gill. 

Observers were also located at various points at the top of the Valley and south east Northumberland, areas which had not been covered in the past, Snod's Edge, Crooked Oak, Minsteracres, Devil's Water, Dipton and Eals Bridge were all surveyed. There were up to 11 kites noted up to mid-afternoon at these locations but none were noted actually going to roost. It is very likely that there will be a roost up there somewhere so some further monitoring work at other locations on the moorland edge is needed. 

These results have been sent to the UK co-ordinator, Duncan Orr-Ewing, who, in turn, will send the collated UK figures to an European counterpart.  

May the progress the kites are making continue into the breeding season.  

Many thanks to all of the 20 volunteers who took part. 

Ken Sanderson 

Kite Monitoring Officer