Our Red Kite Histories
Kites Fledged in 2010 (D0 to E2)
Kite No: D0
Wing Tag Left/Right: Pink / Mid Blue
Kite Name: Yoko
Fledged: 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
Fledged: 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 SightingNovember 2011 - Hollinside Manor, Gateshead.
Kite No: D2
Wing Tag Left/Right: Pink / Mid Blue
Kite Name: No name given
Fledged: 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: 10/11/2012 - at pre roost Hollinside Manor, Gateshead.
Kite No: D3
Wing Tag Left/Right: Pink / Mid Blue
Kite Name: No name given
Fledged: 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.
June 2010 - Beda Hills, Gateshead - at tagging.
Latest Sighting: 11/11/2013 - Identified at the main winter roost at the Nine Arches Viaduct with approximately 40 other kites.
Kite No: D4
Wing Tag Left/Right: Pink / Mid Blue
Kite Name: Zola
Fledged: 2010 Derwent Park, Gateshead
Male/Female: Female
Parents: Father: Mulberry WT 79 Mother Storm WT 33
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 on three occasions in November 2011.
December 2011 - NE of Thornley Nurseries, Gateshead. Being chased by WT76
March 2012 - building a nest with partner (not yet identified) on the Gibside Estate. Zola was noted incubating on the 16th April and brooding young on the 13th May but the nest failed early after hatching.
09/11/2012 - recorded at the pre roost gathering, Hollinside Manor
Recorded regularly at the pre roost, Paddock Hill during the winter of 2012 -2013.
01/02/2013 - At roost Paddock, Gateshead Derwent Country Park, Gateshead.
20/01/2013 - at roost Paddock, Gateshead derwent Country Park, Gateshead.
March 2013 - Zola and her untagged partner were refurbishing their nest at Gibside, Zola was noted incubatinfg on the 1st April and brooding young on the 12th May, but by June it was confirmed the nest had failed again.
Throughout the winter of 2013/2014 Zola was again a regular visitor at the main winter roost at the Nine Arches Viaduct and Lockhaugh Meadows.
In February 2014 - Zola and her untagged partner started to build a new nest at the top of the boardwalk at Gibside, but soon moved to a new nest site behind the Gibside Chapel.
They went on to successfully fledge two chicks, ringed and wing tagged H0 and H1.
June 2014 - on territory at Gibside with her two chicks.
February and March 2015 - Kites were seen with nesting material on their territory, and Zola was seen on more than one occasion foraging along the river and bottom car park at Gibside.
By March the pair were seen at last year's nest site behind Gibside Chapel.
April and May 2015 - Although the nest looked refurbished, it was not used. Zola was still seen in the area but no new nest site was found and breeding was not confirmed.
March 2016 - A Pink/Blue tagged kite, mostly likely to be WT D4 Zola, was seen flying in to perch near the Caravan Park in Rowlands Gill, carrying either food or nesting material. It briefly flew off to Far Pastures where three other kites were in a territorial dispute, and then returned to the same spot. Although kites were seen regularly here and on the Gibside side of the river, no active nest was found.
February 2017 - Zola was possibly one of three kites seen in a territorial dispute over the Gardner and Wake garage in Rowlands Gill.
January 2018 - Zola was one of seven kites noted over houses in Rowlands Gill where food had been put out.
May 2018 - Zola was identified from a photograph whilst flying over Rowlands Gill.
July 2018 - Zola was seen perched in a tree in the Derwent Park, a second kite flew in and it was thought they might be feeding chicks but this was never confirmed.
26/11/19 – D4 noted regularly in the back garden of a house near Gardner & Wake, Rowlands Gill.
01/10/21 -D4 identified from a photograph whilst flying with two other kites at the Ponthaugh Viaduct near Hamsterley Mill.
Latest Sighting: :27/05/22- Wing tag D4 was identified flying over fields above the centre of Rowlands Gill. D4 was interacting with several other kites, probably defending territory.
Kite No: D5
Wing Tag Left/Right: Pink / Mid Blue
Kite Name: Rocket
Fledged: 2010 Derwent Park, Gateshead
Male/Female: Male
Parents: Father- Mulberry WT79 Mother- Storm WT33
Befriend a Kite School: Amble First School Northumberland
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.
22nd March 2012 - again noted at Burdon Moor, identified whilst perched in tree.Seen regularly in the Sunniside area up until May.
15th & 29th October - ID'd at pre roost, Hollinside Manor.
28/12/2012 - recorded at the pre roost, Paddock Hill.
10/01/2013 - recorded at the main roost in Paddock Hill.
January 2013 - recorded at the main roost at Paddock Hill, Derwent Country Park, Gateshead having been seen here on many occasions throughout winter 2012/2013.
09/02/2013 - recorded at the main roost in Paddock Hill, Derwent Country Park, Gateshead .
Rocket was again seen on several occasions at the main winter roost at Paddock Hill and Lockhaugh Meadows through October 2013 to January 2014.
04/01/2014 - at main winter roost at Lockhaigh Meadows.
November 2014 - Rocket was seen once at the pre-roost from the Nine Arches Viaduct in the company of G3 and H0. 41 kites were counted in to the roost that night.
December 2014 - Rocket was seen once this month pre-roosting in an Oak tree at Highfield near Rowlands Gill with thirteen other kites.
February 2017 - Kites had been noted on this territory near Sunniside during the winter. From February the pair were regularly seen circling over the nest wood and defending their territory.
April and May 2017 - On the 24th April the female was noted incubating, and the male D5 Rocket was photographed at the nest wood. By the 18th May the female was brooding young.
June 2017 - Two chicks were ringed and wing tagged N2 and N3, there was also an infertile egg in the nest.
July 2017 - The nest was empty and the family of four were seen flying over the nest wood.
January, February and March 2018 - WTD5 Rocket and his partner WT33 Storm were seen regularly around the nest site near Sunnyside. Kite Cam was installed and the pair were observed nest building intensively.
April and May 2018 - Storm was noted incubating on the 9th April, and regular change overs taking place, whilst Rocket was still bringing in nesting material.
May 2018 - two chicks were being brooded and getting well fed.
Latest Sighting: June 2018 - the two chicks grew rapidly with plenty of wing flapping, they both successfully fledged by the end of June.
Kite No: D6
Wing Tag Left/Right: Pink / Mid Blue
Kite Name: Skyla
Fledged: 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
Fledged: 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
Fledged: 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
Fledged: 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
Fledged: 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.
Latest 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.
Kite No: E1
Wing Tag Left/Right: Pink / Mid Blue
Kite Name: No name given
Fledged: 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.
November 2011 - WTE1 has been seen at the winter pre-roost at Hollinside Manor.
Latest Sighting: 29th October 2012 - at pre roost Hollinside Manor, Gateshead.
Kite No: E2
Wing Tag Left/Right: Pink / Mid Blue
Kite Name: Bomber Bird
Fledged: 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.
02/02/2012 - observed at pre roost, Hollinside Manor.
22nd October 2012 - recorded at pre roost, Hollinside Manor.
29th December 2012 - recorded in the main roost, Paddock Hill.
31st December 2012 - recorded in the main roost, Paddock Hill.
26/01/2013 - - recorded in the main roost, Paddock Hil, Derwent Country Park, Gateshead
Bomber Bird was twice recorded at the pre-roost at Paddock Hill early in January 2013.
26/01/2013 - recorded in the main roost, Paddock Hil, Derwent Country Park, Gateshead and again there on the 11th February 2013.
21/10/2013 recorded at the main roost at Paddock Hill, Gateshead.
05/11/2013 - recorded in the main roost, Nine Arches Viaduct, Derwent Country Park, Gateshead
February 2015 - Having not been seen for over a year, Bomber Bird was recorded twice on consecutive days over the car park at the bottom of Stirling Lane, Rowlands Gill.
May 2016 - Bomber Bird was identified from a photograph, whilst flying over the Gibside Estate.
Latest Sighting: January 2017 - sadly Bomber Bird was found dead in woodland in Rowlands Gill, cause not known but no apparent suspicious circumstances.