Our Red Kite Histories
Kites Fledged in 2008 (B2 to C2)
Kite No: B2
Wing Tag Left/Right: Pink/Black
Kite Name: Whisper
Fledged: 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.
Latest Sighting: Whisper was last seen in Gateshead at the end of 2008, this has been followed by no sightings since.
Kite No: B3
Wing Tag Left/Right: Pink / Black
Kite Name: Sunny Solar
Fledged: 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
Fledged: 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.
January 2011 - Rowlands Gill, Gateshead.
November 2011 - Starlight was twice seen with other kites at Beda Hills.
Latest Sighting: 20/01/2013 - Starlight was seen at the main winter roost at Paddock Hill in the company of approximately 36 other kites.
Kite No: B5
Wing Tag Left/Right: Pink / Black
Kite Name: No name given
Fledged: 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
Fledged: 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.
March 2012 - building new nest with partner WT44, approx 100 metres south of last years nest, in a garden near the River Derwent. They raised one chick which fledged on June 11th.
June 2012 -flying above the nest site.
March 2013 - refurbishing last year's nest with partner WT44.
15/04/2013 - Golden' Glider's partner Morgan is on her on nest incubating. The pair went on to successfully fledge two chicks which were wing tagged, G0 & G1.
February 2014 - on territory in Rowlands Gill and refurbishing nest with partner WT 44 Morgan
Morgan was seen incubating in April 2014, but by June there was no activity at the nest site, although residents reported seeing two fledged chicks.
April 2014 - refurbishiing nest and female incubating - outcome was unknown.
February and March 2015 - Golden Glider and his partner Morgan (WT44) were seen around their nest site in Rowlands Gill, with two juveniles, which were probably their young from last year. There was some possible refurbishment of last year's nest.
April and May 2015 - although kites continued to be seen in the local area, no nest was found and breeding was not confirmed.
Latest Sighting: March 2018 - Golden Glider was identified whilst picking up a stick from a garden in Rowlands Gill.
Kite No: B7.
Wing Tag Left/Right: Pink / Black.
Kite Name: Crimson Ray.
Fledged: 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
April 2011 - Chopwell, Gateshead.
Latest Sighting: April 2016 - Crimson Ray and WT H2 were identified south of Burnhope Wood near Muggleswick. H2 was carrying what appeared to be nesting material, although no territory was subsequently confirmed in the area.
Kite No: B8
Wing Tag Left/Right: Pink / Black
Kite Name: Starburst
Fledged: 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.
January 2011 - Gibside, Gateshead - at the winter roost .
29/12/2012 - identified at the pre roost, Paddock Hill.
10/01/2013 - recorded at the main roost site, Paddock Hill.
Latest Sighting: 07/01/2014 - seen once at the main roost at Lockhaugh Meadows over the winter of 2013/2014.
Kite No: B9
Wing Tag Left/Right: Pink / Black
Kite Name: Fire Star
Fledged: 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.
Fledged: 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.
Fledged: 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.
March 2012 - refurbishing last years nest in the West Wood, Gibside. with partner Welbeck Whistler (WT60). Angel was noted incubating on the 15th April and brooding young on the 21st May. a well feathered chick was ringed and wing tagged.(F4) on June 14th.
June 2012 - flying over nest site.
17/12/2012 - recorded at the pre roost gathering, Paddock Hill 28/12/2012 -noted at the main roost site, Paddock Hill.
28/12/2012 - noted at the main roost site, Paddock Hill and was again at the pre-roost on 08/01/2013.
In 2013 the nest was refurbished and Angel's partner Welbeck Whistler was noted incubating but the nest later failed. reason unknown.
June 2013 - activity on territory, but nest later failed.
18/11/2013 - noted at the main roost site, Paddock Hill - this was the only sighting of him throughout winter 2013/2014.
March 2014 - Angel wsas seen at a new territory south of Burnopfiled with an untagged female. C2 was also seen here and it was never confirmed which was the breeding male - the nest subsequently failed.
December 2014 - Angel was seen twice this month at the main winter roost at Hollinside Manor, once in the company of around 37 kites.
October 2015 - Angel was identified at the winter roost at Lockhaugh Meadows, in the company of at least nineteen other kites.
September 2016 - Angel was identified from a photograph perched and flying in a small wood near Tantobie, south of Burnopfield.
February and March 2016 - There were reports of nest building activity from the resident pair Angel and his partner WT60 Welbeck Whistler on their territory in the West Wood, Gibside and the nest appeared refurbished.
May 2016 - Welbeck Whistler was noted brooding young on the 16th May, and Angel was in attendance.
June 2016 - this pair went on to successfully fledge one chick ringed and wing tagged K6.
February and March 2017 - The resident pair Angel and his partner WT60 Welbeck Whistler were seen regularly circling over their territory in the West Wood, Gibside.
April and May 2017 - a new nest was located and Welbeck Whistler was noted incubating on the 11th April. By May there was at least one chick in the nest with Welbeck Whistler in attendance.
June 2017 - this pair successfully raised two chicks but they were too big to ring or wing tag. By the end of the month the chicks had fledged and were perched close by the empty nest.April and May 2018 - On 16th April Welbeck Whistler was noted incubating at a new nest site near Burnopfield, then on 24th May she was seen brooding whilst her partner WTC1 Angel alarm calling.
June 2018 - two chicks were in the nest.
Latest Sighting: July 2018 - two chicks successfully fledged.
Kite No: C2.
Wing Tag Left/Right: Pink / Black.
Kite Name: Centurion.
Fledged: 2008 Gibside, Gateshead.
Male/Female: Male.
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
March 2012 - refurbishing last years nest with WT28. The pair did not use the nest and the new nest was not found.
April 2012 - noted at Priestfield Stables.
Summer 2012 - on territory but no evidence of breeding.Noted at the main roost near the Nine Arches Viaduct on the 22nd & 29th October 2012.
C2 was noted at the main winter roost at Lockhaugh Meadows in both November 2013 and January 2014.
February 2014 C2 was noted on a new territory south of Burnopfeld with a new untagged partner. There was nest building in March and the female was believed to be incubating in April 2014 - (it was never confirmed if C2 was the breeding male as C1 had also been seen at the nest).
June 2014 - kite perched at nest but no chicks - nest failed.
December 2014 - Centurion was seen once this month at the main winter roost at Hollinside Manor in the company of around 37 kites.
March 2015 - Centurion was photographed being hassled by 28 Agnes, near his Territory near Lintzford.
February and March 2015 - Centurion and his partner Agnes (WT28) were regularly seen on territory near Lintzford. Nesting material was brought in and the nest was located.
Latest Sighting: June 2015 - there was at least one chick in the nest, and by the end of the month two chicks had successfully fledged, not ringed or wing tagged.