Our Red Kite Histories
Kites Fledged in 2014 (H0 to J8)
Kite No: H0
Wing Tag Left/Right: Pink/Orange
Kite Name: No name given
Fledged: 2014 Gibside, Gateshead
Male/Female: Unknownnown
Parents: Father - Unknownnown/ Mother- WTD4 Zola
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Brief Summary: When WTH0 was tagged, the nest was found in a European Larch tree. The nest contained some carrion and at 25 metres was the highest nest we have ever climbed to. WTH0 was one of two chicks, the second was tagged H1. WTH0 can only be identified by a visual sighting.
June 2014 - Gibside, Gateshead - at tagging.
October 2014 - H0 has twice been seen at the main winter roost at Lockhaugh Meadows, in Gateshead's Derwent Country Park.
November 2014 - H0 was seen once at the pre-roost from the Nine Arches Viaduct in the company of D5 and G3. 41 kites were counted into the roost that night.
January 2015 - H0 was seen once roosting near Hollinside Manor with 20 other kites. 5 kites had pre roosted in the pylon close by.
April 2015 - H0 was identified from a photograph near Thornley Nurseries.
May 2015 - H0 was seen flying and then perched in woodland close to Muggleswick, Co Durham.
October 2015 - H0 was identified at the winter roost at Lockhaugh Meadows, in the company of at least nineteen other kites.
February 2016 - H0 was identified on one occasion whilst feeding in ploughed fields west of Burnopfield with a total of up to six kites.
October 2016 - H0 was identified on one occasion coming into the main roost area near then Nine Arches Viaduct in the company of 15 other kites, three of these also being tagged H5, K9 and L6.
January 2017 - H0 was identified on one occasion at the Hamsterley Hall pre-roost, L1 and L6 were also identified here on the same occasion with 14 other kites.
March 2018 - H0 & H8 were identified from a photograph whilst in a territorial dispute over Hamsterley Mill.
April and May 2018 - On 20th April the female was noted on territory near Lintzford incubating then brooding on 14th May, with H0 in attendance and seeing off crows.
June 2018 - the nest failed, but the pair were still seen in the area.
Latest Sighting: September 2018 - H0 was identified from a photograph taken from Pontburn Viaduct.
Kite No: H1
Wing Tag Left/Right: Pink/Orange
Kite Name: No name given
Fledged: 2014 Gibside, Gateshead
Male/Female: Unknown
Parents: Father - Unknown / Mother - WTD4 Zola
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Brief Summary: When WTH1 was tagged, the nest was found in a European Larch tree. The nest contained some carrion and at 25 metres was the highest nest we have ever climbed to. WTH1 was one of two chicks, the second was tagged H0. WTH1 can only be identified by a visual sighting. There have been no sightings since.
Latest Sighting: June 2014 - Gibside, Gateshead - at tagging.
Kite No: H2.
Wing Tag Left/Right: Pink/Orange.
Kite Name: No name given.
Fledged: 2014 Derwentcote North, Co Durham.
Male/Female: Unknown.
Parents: Father - WT63 Polo / Mother - WT89 Kitty.
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Brief Summary: When WTH2 was tagged, the nest was found in an Oak tree. WTH2 was one of three chicks, the second was tagged H3, the third chick was ringed only. WTH2 can only be identified by a visual sighting.
June 2014 - Derwentcote North, Co Durham - at tagging.
December 2014 - H2 was seen three times this month at the new winter roost at Victoria Garesfield with up to thirteen other kites. The first sightings since being tagged in the summer.
April 2016 - WT H2 and WT B7 Crimson Ray 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.
May 2016 - H2 was identified from a photograph, whilst flying over Muggleswick in Co. Durham.
October 2016 - H2 was seen on one occasion near Thornley Kennels with other kites including WT15 Red Philip, they were mostly focused on feeding on worms in a recently ploughed field.
Latest Sighting: April 2018 - H2, N6 and N8 plus an untagged kite were identified flying together near Muggleswick, sometimes displaying as if they were two pairs.
Kite No: H3.
Wing Tag Left/Right: Pink/Orange.
Kite Name: No name given.
Fledged: 2014 Derwentcote North, Co Durham.
Male/Female: Unknown
Parents: Father - WT63 Polo / Mother - WT89 Kitty
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Brief Summary: When WTH3 was tagged, the nest was found in an Oak tree. WTH3 was one of three chicks, the second was tagged H2, the third chick was ringed only. WTH3 can only be identified by a visual sighting.
A report was received on the 28th September 2014 saying that H3 had been noted over Muggleswick in Co Durham in the company of several other kites including juveniles over the last few weeks.
Latest Sighting: December 2014 - H3 was seen once this month at the new winter roost at Victoria Garesfield with upto thirteen other kites.
Kite No: H4
Wing Tag Left/Right: Pink/Orange
Kite Name: No name given
Fledged: 2014 Sunniside, Gateshead
Male/Female: Unknown
Parents: Father - WT Untagged / Mother - WT Unknown
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Brief Summary: When WTH4 was tagged, the nest was found in a Sycamore tree. WTH4 was one of two chicks, the second was tagged H5. WTH4 can only be identified by a visual sighting.
June 2014 - Sunniside, Gateshead - at tagging.
December 2014 - H4 was seen once this month at the new winter roost at Victoria Garesfield with upto thirteen other kites. The first sighting since being tagged in the summer.
Latest Sighting: February 2016 - H4 was identified on one occasion whilst feeding in ploughed fields west of Burnopfield with a total of up to six kites.
Kite No: H5
Wing Tag Left/Right: Pink/Orange
Kite Name: No name given
Fledged: 2014 Sunniside, Gateshead
Male/Female: Male
Parents:
Father - WT Untagged / Mother - WT Unknown
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Brief Summary: When WTH5 was tagged, the nest was found in a Sycamore tree. WTH5 was one of two chicks, the second was tagged H4. WTH5 can only be identified by a visual sighting.
4th September 2014 - Identified at Crawleyside, above Stanhope with another untagged kite.
October 2014 - H5 was noted on 4 occasions at the main winter roost at Lockhaugh Meadows in Gateshead's Derwent Country Park with between 20 - 40 other kites.
December 2014 - H5 was seen three times this month. Once over Burdon Moor near Sunniside (near it's natal site) and twice at the pre-roost at Hollinside Manor, with upto 37 kites coming in to the main roost.
April 2015 - H5 was identified from a photograph near Thornley Nurseries.
June 2015 - H5 was found grounded and bedraggled in a garden in Rowlands Gill. After a quick trip to the Vet's to confirm there were no injuries, H5 was kept in re-hab for three days after which, being fully recovered, he was released into the wild again.
August 2015 - H5 was identified once whilst perched in a tree near Hollinside.
February 2016 - H5 was identified on one occasion whilst feeding in ploughed fields west of Burnopfield with a total of up to six kites.
August 2016 - H5 was identified at the beginning of the month, flying along the ridge of Muggleswick Common, south of Edmundbyers.
September 2016 - H5 was identified from a photograph perched on a pylon in the pouring rain near Lockhaugh Farm in the Derwent Valley.
October 2016 - H5 was identified on one occasion coming into the main roost area near then Nine Arches Viaduct in the company of 15 other kites, three of these also being tagged H0, K9 and L6.
November 2016 - H5 was identified on one occasion at a small roost of fourteen kites at Lockhaugh Meadow, where he was identified perched on a pylon.
January 2017 - H5 was identified on one occasion sitting in a tree at Lockhaugh, duetting and clearly paired with an untagged kite.
February and March 2017 - There was a lot of activity from this pair over and near their territory in Rowlands Gill, the Male was identified as H5 (a 2014 bird), and they were seen nest building in March.
April 2017 - Early in April H5 was still noted nest building but by the end of the month there was no activity here and there appears to have been no breeding attempt.
January 2018 - H5 and Chester were identified early in the month at a pre-roost near Hollin Hill Farm, Rowlands Gill.
November 2017 - H5 and N2 were identified perched on a pylon with two other kites near Thornley Gardens, Rowlands Gill at pre-roost, a total of six kites were seen.
March 2018 - H5 & L2 were identified from a photograph whilst flying together at Lockhaugh, Rowlands Gill.
January 2018 - H5 had been frequently noted around his territory near Rowlands Gill throughout the winter.
March 2018 - H5 and his partner were regularly seen displaying and patrolling their territory.
April 2018 - A kite was still patrolling the area, but no nest found.
Spring 2020 - Wing tag H5 and partner N2 built a nest in a garden in Lockhaugh, Rowlands Gill and successfully fledged three chicks (wing tag S2 & S3, the third chick was too small to wing tag)
August 2020 - Wing tag H5 identified from a photograph whilst perched on territory
Spring/Summer 2021 - H5 and Partner N2 successfully raised one chick in a garden nest in Lockhaugh, Rowlands Gill, Gateshead.
08/09/2021 - H5 was photographed eating a rat whilst perched in a tree in a Rowland's Gill garden.
Spring/Summer 2022 - For the second year running H5 and his partner successfully raised one .chick in a garden nest in Lockhaugh, Rowlands Gill, Gateshead.
26 12/22 - between 13.00hrs and 13.39hrs H5 and his partner were observed perched on a telegraph pole in a field near the Thornley Lane and A694 junction in Rowlands Gill. H5 was eating carrion
Spring/summer 2023: H5 and his partner moved out of the garden in Lockhaugh, Rowlands Gill and built a nest in a nearby wood. They successfully fledged two chicks this year
Latest Sighting:
14/11/23 - H5 was identified from a photograph whilst perched on a pylon in his territory.
Kite No: H6
Wing Tag Left/Right: Pink/Orange
Kite Name: No name given
Fledged: 2014 Causey Gill, Co Durham
Male/Female: Unknown
Parents: Father - WT Untagged / Mother - WT Unknown
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Brief Summary: When WTH6 was tagged, the nest was found in a Sycamore tree. The nest contained some carrion and a purple glove with white spots. WTH6 was one of two chicks, the second was tagged H7. WTH6 can only be identified by a visual sighting.
June 2014 - Causey Gill, Co Durham - at tagging
A report was received on the 28th September 2014 saying that H6 had been noted over Muggleswick in Co Durham in the company of several other kites including juveniles over the last few weeks.
Latest Sighting: January 2016 - H6 was identified on one occasion at Sherburn Towers pre-roost in the company of several other kites, including a kite from Mid Scotland tagged Red/Green 4.
Kite No: H7
Wing Tag Left/Right: Pink/Orange
Kite Name: No name given
Fledged: 2014 Causey Gill, Co Durham
Male/Female: Unknown
Parents: Father - WT Untagged / Mother - WT Unknown
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Brief Summary:
When WTH7 was tagged, the nest was found in a Sycamore tree. The nest contained some carrion and a purple glove with white spots. WTH7 was one of two chicks, the second was tagged H6. WTH7 can only be identified by a visual sighting. There have been no sightings since.
Latest Sighting: June 2014 - Causey Gill, Co Durham - at tagging.
Kite No: H8
Wing Tag Left/Right: Pink/Orange
Kite Name: No name given
Fledged: 2014 Cappy Scar, Gateshead
Male/Female: Male
Parents: Father - WT 76 Chester / Mother - WT 32 Red Arrow
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Brief Summary: When WTH8 was tagged, the nest was found in a Cherry tree. The nest contained a plastic carrier bag and one infertile egg. WTH8 was one of two chicks, the second was tagged H9. WTH8 can only be identified by a visual sighting.
June 2014 - Cappy Scar, Gateshead - at tagging.
October 2014 - H8 was identified at the main winter roost at Lockhaugh Meadows in Gateshead's Derwent Country Park on one occasion in the company of 35 other kites.
December 2014 - H8 was seen twice this month at the new winter roost at Victoria Garesfield with upto thirteen other kites.
January 2015 - H8 was seen once at the new winter roost at Victoria Garesfield. One of 26 kites seen at the pre roost that night.
February 2017 - H8 was identified on one occasion whilst perched and calling from a tree behind Lintzford Garden Centre, one of the territorial pair was close by.
February and March 2017 - There was a lot of activity with kites in the vicinity of Lintford Garden Centre, including a pair of kites displaying over the nest wood and also defending their territory. The male was identified as WTH8 (a 2014 bird).
April and May 2017 - The nest was located, and a kite observed adding nesting material. On the 3rd April, the pair were seen copulating, and by the end of the month the female was brooding with H8 close by. By May the female was noted feeding one chick in the nest.
June 2017 - Two chicks were ringed, but marginally too young to wing tag.
July 2017 - Two chicks were sitting on the edge of the nest.
January 2018 - H8 was noted at the end of the month with his untagged partner on their territory near Lintzford.
March 2018 - H8 & H0 were identified from a photograph whilst in a territorial dispute over Hamsterley Mill
January, February and March 2018 - the pair were regularly seen on territory near Lintzford either perched near nest site or chasing away other kites.(WTH8 is the male and WTB0 Excalibur the female here).
April 2018 - The pair were still around, but crows near the nest were not challenged and the nest did not look active.
Spring 2019 - H8 & B0 were regularly seen on territory near Lintzford garden Centre and on the 11th March were seen adding nesting material to an old nest. The nest was not used and a new nest was not found.
Spring 2020 - H8 and partner (B0 could have lost her tags)regularly seen in territorial dispute with neighbors to the west and south of Lintzford garden Centre. but again no nest was found and no evidence obreeding noted.
Latest Sighting: 16/03/20 - H8 and partner (possibly B0) were observed in territorial dispute with another kite over Lintzford Garden Centre.
Kite No: H9
Wing Tag Left/Right: Pink/Orange
Kite Name: No name given
Fledged: 2014 Cappy Scar, Gateshead
Male/Female: Unknown
Parents: Father - WT 76 Chester / Mother - WT 32 Red Arrow
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Brief Summary: When WTH9 was tagged, the nest was found in a Cherry tree. The nest contained a plastic carrier bag and one infertile egg. WTH9 was one of two chicks, the second was tagged H8. WTH9 can only be identified by a visual sighting. There have been no sightings since.
Latest Sighting: June 2014 - Cappy Scar, Gateshead - at tagging.
Kite No: J0
Wing Tag Left/Right: Pink/Orange
Kite Name: No name given
Fledged: 2014 Hamsterley Hall, Co Durham
Male/Female: Unknown
Parents: Father - WT A6 Sedgefield Blaze / Mother - WT Untagged
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Brief Summary: When WTJ0 was tagged, the nest was found in a Scots Pine tree. The nest contained some carrion and a grey teddy bear with a blue nose. WTJ0 was a single chick. WTJ0 can only be identified by a visual sighting.
A6 was found injured in May and spent approximately 4 weeks in re-hab. before being released back on his Territory. The female was given supplementary feeding to enable her to successfully fledge her chick.
31st August 2014 - Seen with two other kites near Edmundbyers
Latest Sighting: March 2016 - J0 was identified from a photograph, acting territorially over Pontburn Wood near Hamsterley Hall.
Kite No: J1
Wing Tag Left/Right: Pink/Orange
Kite Name: No name given
Fledged: 2014 Hollinside Manor, Gateshead
Male/Female: Unknown
Parents: Father - WT 42 Thunderbird / Mother - WT 16 Flag
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Brief Summary: When WTJ1 was tagged, the nest was found in a Silver Birch tree. The nest contained some carrion and white clothes. WTJ1 was a single chick. WTJ1 can only be identified by a visual sighting.
June 2014 - Hollinside Manor, Gateshead - at tagging.
October 2014 - J1 was identified at the main winter roost at Lockhaugh Meadows in Gateshead's Derwent Country Park on two occasions in the company of over 20 other kites.
Latest Sighting: December 2014 - J1 was found deceased on the grouse moors near Edmundbyers and Muggleswick. The circumstances appeared suspicious, so he was sent for a post-mortem that subsequently confirmed illegal poisoning by Carbofuran - a chemical banned since 2002.
Kite No: J2
Wing Tag Left/Right: Pink/Orange
Kite Name: No name given
Fledged: 2014 Bradley Hall, Gateshead
Male/Female: Unknown
Parents:
Father - WT Unknown / Mother - WT Unknown
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Brief Summary: When WTJ2 was tagged, the nest was found in a Beech tree. WTJ2 was one of three chicks, the second was tagged J3, the third chick was ringed only. WTJ2 can only be identified by a visual sighting. There have been no sightings since.
Latest Sighting: June 2014 - Bradley Hall, Gateshead - at tagging.
Kite No: J3
Wing Tag Left/Right: Pink/Orange
Kite Name: No name given
Fledged: 2014 Bradley Hall, Gateshead
Male/Female: Unknown
Parents: Father - WT Unknown / Mother - WT Unknown
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Brief Summary: When WTJ3 was tagged, the nest was found in a Beech tree. WTJ3 was one of three chicks, the second was tagged J2, the third chick was ringed only. WTJ3 can only be identified by a visual sighting. There have been no sightings since.
Latest Sighting: June 2014 - Bradley Hall, Gateshead - at tagging.
Kite No: J4
Wing Tag Left/Right: Pink/Orange
Kite Name: No name given
Fledged: 2014 Paddock Hill, Gateshead
Male/Female: Unknown
Parents: Father - WT Untagged / Mother - WT 43 Swift
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Brief Summary: When WTJ4 was tagged, the nest was found in a Sycamore tree. WTJ4 was one of two chicks, the second was tagged J5. WTJ4 can only be identified by a visual sighting.
June 2014 - Paddock Hill, Gateshead - at tagging.
A report was received on the 28th September 2014 saying that J4 had been noted over Muggleswick in Co Durham in the company of several other kites including juveniles over the last few weeks.
October 2014 - 4 was identified at the main winter roost at Lockhaugh Meadows in Gateshead's Derwent Country Park on four occasions in the company of over 35 other kites, and at the pre-roost at Hollinside Manor.
December 2014 - J4 was seen twice this month at the new winter roost at Victoria Garesfield with up to thirteen other kites.
Latest Sighting:February 2015 - J4 and J6 were identified together with a third untagged kite, foraging for food over a farm near Barlow Burn.
Kite No: J5.
Wing Tag Left/Right: Pink/Orange.
Kite Name: No name given.
Fledged: 2014 Paddock Hill, Gateshead.
Male/Female: Unknown.
Parents: Father - WT Untagged / Mother - WT 43 Swift.
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Brief Summary: When WTJ5 was tagged, the nest was found in a Sycamore tree. WTJ5 was one of two chicks, the second was tagged J4. WTJ5 can only be identified by a visual sighting.
June 2014 - Paddock Hill, Gateshead - at tagging.
October 2014 - J5 was identified at the main winter roost at Lockhaugh Meadows in Gateshead's Derwent Country Park on two occasions in the company of upto 35 other kites.
December 2014 - J5 was seen once this month pre-roosting in an Oak tree at Highfield near Rowlands Gill with thirteen other kites.
February 2015 - J5 was one of a pair of kites seeing off a third kite at the west end of Burnopfield. This was possible first year territory holding behaviour.
Latest Sighting: January 2016 - J5 was identified on one occasion at Sherburn Towers pre-roost in the company of several other kites, including a kite from Mid Scotland tagged Red/Green 4.
Kite No: J6
Wing Tag Left/Right: Pink/Orange
Kite Name: No name given
Fledged: 2014 Axwell Park, Gateshead
Male/Female: Unknown
Parents: Father - WT Unknown / Mother- WT Unknown
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Brief Summary: When WTJ6 was tagged, the nest was found in a dead Larch tree. WTJ6 was one of two chicks, the second was tagged J7. WTJ6 can only be identified by a visual sighting. Early July the two chicks were still at the nest site.
July 2014 - Axwell Park, Gateshead - at tagging.
October 2014 - J6 was identified at the main winter roost at Lockhaugh Meadows in Gateshead's Derwent Country Park on two occasions in the company of upto 35 other kites.
December 2014 - J6 was seen three times this month. Once pre-roosting in an Oak tree at Highfield near Rowlands Gill with thirteen other kites, once at the new winter roost at Victoria Garesfield with upto thirteen other kites, and once at the pre-roost at Hollinside Manor, with around 37 kites coming into the main roost.
February 2015 - J6 and J4 were identified together with a third untagged kite, foraging for food over a farm near Barlow Burn.
January 2016 - J6 was identified on three occasions at Sherburn Towers, on one occasion identified from a photograph foraging over the fields, and on the other occasions at the pre-roost, once with approximately 20 kites passed through here on their way to roost.
Latest Sighting: February 2016 - J6 was identified on one occasion at a pre-roost gathering at Sherburn Towers with eight other kites, mostly juveniles.
Kite No: J7
Wing Tag Left/Right: Pink/Orange
Kite Name: No name given
Fledged: 2014 Axwell Park, Gateshead
Male/Female: Unknown
Parents: Father - WT Unknown / Mother- WT Unknown
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Brief Summary: When WTJ7 was tagged, the nest was found in a dead Larch tree. WTJ7 was one of two chicks, the second was tagged J6. WTJ7 can only be identified by a visual sighting. Early July the two chicks were still at the nest site.
July 2014 - Axwell Park, Gateshead - at tagging.
October 2014 - J7 was identified at the main winter roost at Lockhaugh Meadows in Gateshead's Derwent Country Park on one occasion in the company of up to 35 other kites.
June 2015 - J7 was amazingly identified at St Ives in Cornwall. There is an increasing number of kites gathering in that area year on year with numbers approaching 200 at this year's roost gathering.
Latest Sighting: January 2017 - J7 was identified from a photograph flying near Harrogate in Yorkshire. He was previously seen at St Ives in Cornwall in June 2015 so quite a traveller.
Kite No: J8
Wing Tag Left/Right: Pink/Orange
Kite Name: No name given
Fledged: 2014 Team Valley, Urpeth, Gateshead
Male/Female: Unknown
Parents: Father - WT Unknown / Mother- WT Unknown
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Brief Summary: When WTJ8 was tagged, the nest was found in a Sycamore tree. The nest contained a white pillowcase. WTJ8 was one of two chicks, the second was not ringed or tagged. WTJ8 can only be identified by a visual sighting. J8 was seen flying with sibling and parents near the nest site in July 2014.
Latest Sighting: July 2014 - Team Valley, Urpeth, Gateshead.