Population of the Red Kite in SW Northumberland

Updates during season at https://twitter.com/NickRossiter4 for both Red Kite and Black Kite.

HISTORICAL

The account of the glead is one of the most often quoted sections from Wallis:

We have the Glead or Swallow-tail'd Falcon; the only one hitherto known with that remarkable distinction, in the alpine, and some of the vale, woods. It is in the greatest numbers in the west and north-west parts, where many of them usually join company, and in towering undulating flights look out for young poultry, which is no sooner perceived by the old ones, than they warn their little offspring by a signal to take shelter under their wings; but the unwary wanderer is sure to be seized and carried off. It is a great destroyer of wood-pigeons, and in the scarcity of such dainties condescends to live upon mice.

The account clearly refers to the red kite. The forked tail indicated by the name, swallow-tail'd falcon, and the synonym cauda forcipata can only be associated with this species. Wallis shows that while the red kite was still present in alpine (upland) woods it was already becoming restricted to the western and north-western areas by c1760 and was only found in some of the vale (valley) woods. It was clearly unpopular with country people because of its predation on young chickens although other food sources quoted (wood pigeons and mice) would have benefited farmers.

There is clear evidence that the red kite was more widespread in Northumberland before Wallis’s time. In the excavation of the Castle Ditch in Newcastle (Rackham & Allison 1981), the bones of a probable red kite were found in a layer dating from the early 16th century suggesting its presence there as a town scavenger in mediaeval times. By far the most detailed evidence though is provided by the Churchwardens’ Accounts for Corbridge (NRO: EP 57/25-26) which record many mammal and red kite bounties from 1676-1745 (Rossiter 1998a). A total of 91 claims was made on 163 gleads from 1676-1723 suggesting that the red kite was a common species at this time in the lowlands. Moreover analysis of the time of the year at which glead heads were presented showed that persecution was highest in May, presumably of breeding birds which may have made tempting shooting targets. Such persecution is likely to have been far more serious in its effect on the red kite population than if persecution had been mainly of young birds in the autumn. Indeed the low numbers of glead heads presented in August in Corbridge could be taken to indicate an almost total lack of breeding success, since recently fledged juveniles would have been relatively easy to kill.

Wallis wrote his account in Simonburn some 15km to the north-west of Corbridge. His indication that the red kite was now found mainly to the west suggests that it was already scarce to the east of Simonburn by Wallis's time and had presumably almost become extinct in the Corbridge area in the mid-18th century since the last bounty record in 1723. The red kite was clearly becoming scarcer in lowland areas through the 18th century and indeed Evans (1911) noted that since the time of Wallis there was not one record in the Tweed area. However, it still seemed to maintain a presence in upland areas. Using Cumberland as a guide for the end of the 18th century, Hutchinson (1794-97) itemized ‘gleds’ in his list of birds for the Parish of Bewcastle, Richardson (1794-97) reported that, in Ullswater, kites ‘are found the whole year.’ and Heysham (1794-97) noted that ‘the kite breeds, in the woods, near Armathwaite.’ However, an extraordinarily fast decline nationally was now in progress as systematic game preservation became more widely and effectively practised. It appears the red kite was virtually eliminated from Northumberland around 1800-10 but managed to survive on a very local basis until the 1830s, for instance at Eglingham (Baker 1996).

This extract is from the review by Rossiter (1999) of Wallis' work (1769).

CURRENT COLONISATION

The current emerging Red Kite population in southern Northumberland is a spin-off from the Gateshead reintroduction programme, where birds were obtained for release from successful nests in the Chilterns, which in turn came originally from Spain. Northern Kites released 20 kites in 2004, 41 kites in 2005 and 33 kites in 2006. 11 kites were born in the northeast in 2007, 10 of which have been wing-tagged. 22 kites were born in the northeast in 2008, 11 of which have been wing-tagged. At least 20 kites were born in the northeast in 2009, 4 of which were tagged. In 2010 despite the very cold weather in the early part of the year 24 kites were fledged of which 13 were tagged.

The Friends of the Red Kites (FoRK) have taken over the official monitoring of the Red Kite reintroduction into NE England. The last breeding report on their web site is for 2014 although that for 2015 can be found on the N&TBC web site: North East Red Kite Breeding Report 2015, North East Red Kites Face Another Difficult Year, Ian Kerr & Ken Sanderson FoRK. The report for 2016, Friends of Red Kites 2016 Breeding Report for the North East of England, Ian Kerr & Ken Sanderson NRG, shows that 35 territories were occupied, almost entirely in Gateshead and Co Durham. Breeding was successful at only 9 sites, but this figure 'must be regarded as the absolute minimum'. The reports by FoRK as a whole paint an extremely bleak prospect for the Red Kite in Northumberland with no more than one pair a year. The one site in Northumberland that they record for 2016 is dealt with in some detail:

The success involved a very late nest in the Stocksfield area where two young did not fledge until early August, by far the latest recorded since breeding resumed in the region. The pair may have failed earlier, perhaps after long clashes with local Buzzards, before producing a second clutch. The nest was discovered during commercial felling operations when a harvesting machine was within 60m of the mature Scots Pine chosen by the pair. A visiting birdwatcher had first raised the possibility of nesting in the area. Shortly afterwards, a forester, familiar with kites after taking his children to see them in the Derwent Valley, noticed a bird slipping away from a nest. The landowners contacted FoRK and timber operations were immediately halted at considerable cost and disruption to the estate. The nest was regularly monitored and two young were ringed in mid-July when one of them was still too small for wing-tagging. FoRK would like to express its appreciation for the co-operation of this estate.

There are some pertinent questions here on the FoRK methodology. Exactly what is the extent of their monitoring programme? Why for instance was this site not found in earlier searches and why was the earlier report by a visiting birdwatcher ignored? Why in their reports are all landowners treated with such suspicion, especially considering the example above?

The general tone of the 2015 and 2016 reports is downbeat with repeated accusations of persecution by landowners. Clearly the poisonings of birds with a total of ten to date cited in the 2015 report is completely unacceptable. However this scale of poisoning is not sufficient to prevent colonisation: usually only 50% of young raptors survive their first year in the wild. No report has been made for the 2017 season either on the FoRK site or the NRG site. It is worrying that the claimed near-absence of the Red Kite in Northumberland, through lack of fieldwork, is then used to fortify a political viewpoint to the detriment of the image of the landowners.

Following an article on 16 August 2018 in Hexham Courant (p.14) Rescued Red Kite Returned to Wild on their web pages as Red kite rescued by staff at Tynedale bird of prey centre returns to wild, there were letters from NR Kites Established and the FoRKers Figure is Snapshot in Hexham Courant 30 August p.21. Here's scans of part 1 and part 2 of the letters with NR's also available as html. The letters put into the public domain NR's data showing at least 30 pairs of Red Kite breeding in south Northumberland in 2016 and the FoRKers' admission that their roost counts are an underestimate of the Red Kite population in the NE.

From 2022-2023 The ForKers did find more evidence of breeding in Northumberland although only a fraction of those breeding in the area. Interestingly their area studied appears to correspond to my upper South Tyne, leading into Allen and Derwent. In 2022 they reported "In recent years Northumberland has not produced the breeding pairs that could be expected. This, despite the very high number of sightings received, especially in the south west of the county. So, it is encouraging news indeed that there have been 5 confirmed territories with 4 successful nesting attempts from, producing at least 8 chicks." and In 2023 they reported "Whilst the majority of pairs nested in Gateshead MBC and Co. Durham there is more encouraging news from Northumberland with evidence that at least 8 chicks have fledged from 5 nests in the west of the county. A further 3 territories have been confirmed there but no evidence of breeding found. The west of Northumberland is such a vast area to survey and the confirmed kite territories range from just south of Haltwhistle down to the border with Durham." FoRK Breeding Summary

Red Kite are no longer the only kite breeding in the study area. See Black Kite in Northumberland for details.

SEASONAL MOVEMENTS

The difference between the totals of FoRK/NRG and those of NR, shown in Table 1 below, is very striking. In 2016 NR made visits every 10 days from February-April to the core area between Stocksfield, Bywell, Prudhoe and Whittle Burn. He found very few birds in February, March and early April, with full occupation not occurring until 17/4. So doing the initial kite search in March, as I believe is done by FoRK/NRG, is not going to find many and will give a very misleading idea of the numbers present. I believe no subsequent visits are made by FoRK/NRG to sites, which were not occupied in March. The Northumberland kites either spend early spring in feeding areas in the Derwent Valley or migrate further afield in the manner of some continental populations. One well-watched site in Bywell was occupied in 2016 from 17/4-12/11. The occupation by month in 2016 for NE England shows an absence from December-February and low numbers in March and from October-November. Records increase from April-June and the peak occurs in August and September. Very low numbers are recorded in July, suggesting a late breeding season. This pattern is associated with a summer visitor, with quite brief display noted in the spring and with greatest prominence noted in family parties post-breeding. Low numbers in the middle of the season are associated with secrecy while actually nesting. This is similar to the pattern with Honey-buzzard. Unfortunately none of the birds in this part of the Red Kite population in NE England has been ringed, missing out on the chance of interesting recoveries or sightings.

Conspicuous Red Kite movements are now noted in spring from April-June in the UK, particularly in SW England and Wales, running into hundreds of birds. Initially the birds were thought to be from the continent. The consensus now appears to be that these are non-breeding birds from the rapidly increasing UK population but it needs to be borne in mind that the early birds in the movement may be adults if the classical migration model is followed with adults returning first and immatures second; also adults tend to fly higher than younger birds, meaning that younger birds are over-estimated as the proportion of the flock. An early discussion BirdForum 120883 in August 2008 considered the question: Why don't English Red Kites migrate? But the question proved to be premature as substantial movements were being noted: “Amazing sight as 186 red kites are spotted soaring over Cornwall” on 8 June 2015 in the Western Morning News WMN; Red Kite influx in West Cornwall 3rd June 2011 Swopticsphoto; Movement of Red Kite in Wales today 3rd June 2011 BirdForum 202189. Devon Birds [Devon Bird Report 2015, p.54] reports county totals in 2015 of 73 in April, 224 in May, 59 in June, with most noted in East Devon of 131 and on Dartmoor of 88. The birds are supposed to move initially W over Devon down to Cornwall, where they become blocked by the sea; they then return E. Mark Darlaston [Red Kites – updates and comments, Devon Birds, 62(1), pp.23-25 (2009)] noted that the movements were associated with anticyclonic conditions, that the movements were most likely from our expanding British population, perhaps with some continental birds, and that young birds were involved. Whatever, more work is clearly required on these movements with maybe some linkage to the Honey-buzzard position emerging, where initial knee-jerk reactions that the birds came from the continent have proved to be wrong.

NR's RESULTS

All the data in Table 1 refers to the study area in south west Northumberland, with survey work done by NR. Initially the reintroduction programme into NE England was a success in the core area of the lower Derwent Valley but in Northumberland only the Wylam area was firmly colonised with a nest very close to the county border with Gateshead. In 2008/2009 the Northumberland position was more encouraging with 4 broods produced from 11 occupied sites, mainly in the Tyne, in 2008, and 10 sites occupied in 2009. This early optimism faded rapidly in 2010 with some well-publicised poisoning incidents and only 4 sites were occupied with one brood noted. It is probably fair to say that all raptor colonisations are protracted processes, partly because the new pairs are inexperienced and take time to be productive but the poisoning incidents severely stress the fragile colonising population. The worry for the Red Kite population in NE England in 2010 was of course that it would become ring-fenced, as allegedly with the northern Scottish population, by hostile landowners on the northern edge. In 2011 these fears were allayed to some extent by a strengthening of the colonisation in Tyne Valley E and Derwent and a pair breeding successfully at Bywell, close to the poisoning incidents of the previous year. In 2012, despite a very wet breeding season, the species consolidated the gains of 2011 with 5 broods, the highest number to date; productivity was low with apparently only one pair raising 2 young but the overall result was encouraging. In 2013 the greater optimism was maintained with a further increase to 7 broods; however, productivity remained low at just over 1 young/successful site, perhaps because of the late spring. This increase in broods was maintained in 2014, when there was a sharp increase in occupied sites in Tyne Valley W. Consolidation occurred in 2015 in Tyne Valley W and E and Derwent with a record 9 broods, totalling 12 young, but there was little sign of a move further W. The year when the colonisation appeared to be secure was 2016 when the number of broods more than doubled from 9 to 22 with a similar increase in the young fledged from 12 to 30; the Derwent area on the northern flank of the Gateshead population, extending onto the grouse moors up the Beldon Burn, was a major contributor to the success. Colonisation also appeared to the extreme W in the upper South Tyne possibly from the Grizedale releases. 2017 was a year of consolidation with numbers dipping slightly. In 2018 there was a resurgence with, in spite of reduced coverage, numbers exceeding or equalling the 2016 totals amid signs that numbers would increase further in 2019. This trend was confirmed by the actual results showing 37 sites occupied, with coverage concentrated on the core area of the Devil's Water and Tyne Valley W. The introduction can now be stated to be secure and successful with a regional population for NE England maybe reaching c100 pairs. Coverage was variable from 2019-2022, always less than prior to 2018, and results fluctuated between 37 and 61 sites occupied. The only concern was poor apparent productivity in 2022 when just 16 juveniles were seen.

Table 1: Numbers of Red Kite found from 2006-2023 in SW Northumberland

More details of the Red Kite breeding season for 2006 are available in Table 2.1:

Table 2.1: Breeding Data for Red Kite in SW Northumberland by area in 2006

Maybe the birds recorded this year were just exploring the area. A single bird was recorded on 3 dates S of Dipton Wood from May to August. A pair were up high over Newburn at the end of March. Both count as probable breeding but attempts may not have been very serious. In November a single bird was recorded at Black Callerton in Tyne Valley East.

More details of the Red Kite breeding season for 2007 are available in Table 2.2:

Table 2.2: Breeding Data for Red Kite in SW Northumberland by area in 2007

A reasonable start with a pair confirmed breeding near Wylam, raising 1 young. In my survey this pair were down at the probable level but very happy to take the record as confirmed in the table above, from the FoRK survey. Other probable sites were at Greenshaw Plain in the Lower South Tyne and Riding Mill in the Tyne Valley West but neither was thought to be successful. Possible sites were near Whitfield in the Allen, which went on to produce young the following year, and west of Hexham, in the main Tyne Valley West. From October-December single birds were recorded at 2 sites in Tyne Valley East: Wylam E, Newburn.

More details of the Red Kite breeding season for 2008 are available in Table 2.3:

Table 2.3: Breeding Data for Red Kite in SW Northumberland by area in 2008

So very quickly, Red Kite is as common as Goshawk in the study area in terms of numbers but much more successful. There seems little doubt that the Red Kite is being looked after by gamekeepers and it could almost be said that there is enthusiasm for the Red Kite to replace the Goshawk. Whatever, it's a marvellous outcome to the second season of Red Kite breeding in Northumberland; we are up to 4 pairs confirmed breeding and 6 young fledged with success not unexpectedly in the Tyne Valley but also in the Derwent and Allen. It will be very interesting to see what happens in 2009.

More details of the Red Kite breeding season for 2009 are available in Table 3:

Table 3: Breeding Data for Red Kite in SW Northumberland by area in 2009

After last year's promise the results for the 2009 season are a disappointment with a decline from 11 sites to 10, 19 adults to 13 and 4 confirmed sites to 2. On the plus side the concentration immediately around Wylam appears to have strengthened with 3 sites in the immediate area and a new site near Stocksfield at Apperley Dene was successful. But outliers have dissipated with no birds seen post-spring in the Allen or even in the Bradley Burn at the back of Prudhoe.

More details of the Red Kite breeding season for 2010 are available in Table 4.

Table 4: Breeding Data for Red Kite in SW Northumberland by area in 2010

This year saw a major setback in the Red Kite colonisation of the Tyne Valley. The data above is from my own records with 3 sites occupied in the breeding season at Wylam, Stocksfield Burn and Styford. The Wylam birds bred successfully but evidently nested just over the border into Gateshead: I've counted them still as Northumberland birds because they spend a lot of time hunting here and do not want to indicate that they've disappeared. As published earlier the Stocksfield Burn birds were confirmed as breeding by others but were poisoned before the chick could fledge. The fate of the birds at Styford is unknown but a pair were over the wood there on 10/5. I saw just one bird in the Devil's Water but 2 birds were found poisoned here. A very depressing picture: let us hope that the game interests are sufficiently embarrassed by the incidents to stop using carbofuran and other illegal poisons.

The poisoning incidents are documented in press releases in the Journal and Courant, which confirm that 3 birds found dead in 2010 – 2 at Steel, Hexhamshire; 1 at Hindley, Stocksfield – were poisoned, with the 2nd bird at Hindley almost certainly in the same category. I had hoped that the poisoning could be attributed to misuse of rat poison because that's easier to sort but an exchange at the end of the BirdGuides article (under comments, exchange between NR and Mr Dick, retired RSPB crime investigations officer, screen shot here) shows that the poison involved carbofuran is illegal and is sometimes used by renegade gamekeepers to poison animals such as foxes by lacing a bait with it and throwing the bait in the open near where the animal patrols. It's illegal because of its high toxicity and history of misuse: dogs and children are all highly vulnerable to it. So this was a shock. Red Kite are the most vulnerable to poisoning this way because much of their food is carrion. Honey-buzzard are the least vulnerable because they do not normally eat carrion. Common Buzzard are vulnerable to some extent but fortunately prey mainly on live rabbits and voles. The birds were found on land managed by Allendale Estates. Reports from the Friends of the Red Kites (FoRK) for 2010 are available on BirdGuides, in this N&TBC bulletin extract and on the FoRK web site.

More details of the Red Kite breeding season for 2011 are available in Table 5.

Table 5: Breeding Data for Red Kite in SW Northumberland by area in 2011

It was a much better season with no recorded or suspected persecution. In the area in Tyne Valley W around Stocksfield adversely affected by poisoning in 2010, a pair settled and bred successfully at Bywell, raising one young. The favoured areas remain those close to the reintroduction areas, that is Derwent and Tyne Valley E. In Derwent in May a single bird was at Blanchland and a pair were circling over Wallish Walls, where other birds were seen by other observers later in the year suggesting probable breeding. In Tyne Valley E pairs were seen S of Wylam, E of Wylam and at Hyons Wood, raising 1, 2 and 1 juveniles respectively. The total number of broods of 4 equals that in the previous best year of 2008 with one fewer young reared than in 2008 of 5.

More details of the Red Kite breeding season for 2012 are available in Table 6.

Table 6: Breeding Data for Red Kite in SW Northumberland by area in 2012

The improvement in 2011 was consolidated with 5 pairs breeding successfully, raising at least 6 young. The number of broods was the best yet. Numbers in the areas adjacent to Gateshead (Tyne E, Derwent) were maintained at a total of 5 occupied sites but there was some expansion westwards with 3 occupied sites in Tyne W (1 in 2011) and 1 in lower South Tyne (none in 2011). Out of the total of 9 occupied sites, 5 were confirmed breeding, 3 probable breeding and 1 possible breeding. The probable breeding may well be really failures due to the poor weather; the possible breeding might refer to a future colonisation. There was no recorded or suspected persecution. It is likely that there is a further pair in the Wallish Walls area in the Derwent Valley; birds were reported here by others. Successful breeding sites were: in Tyne E, S of Wylam and Hyons Wood; in Derwent, Greymare Hill; in Tyne W, Bywell E; in lower South Tyne, Haydon Bridge E. Probable breeding sites were: in Tyne E, Wylam E; in Derwent, Beldon Burn; in Tyne W, Stocksfield E. The possible breeding site was S of Riding Mill in Tyne W.

More details of the Red Kite breeding season for 2013 are available in Table 7.

Table 7: Breeding Data for Red Kite in SW Northumberland by area in 2013

All indicators were positive this year with record totals of pairs, broods and young fledged, in anyway the last 2 centuries. Productivity remained low, perhaps because of the late spring, at just over 1 young/successful site with broods of 2x2 and 5x1. Out of the total of 13 occupied sites, 7 were confirmed breeding, 3 probable breeding and 3 possible breeding. The probable breeding may well be really failures due to the poor weather or inexperience of the birds; the possible breeding might refer to a future colonisation. The birds are still concentrated along the boundary with Gateshead. For confirmed/probable sites 3 pairs were in Derwent, on the Northumberland side at Shotleyfell, Wallish Walls and Beldon Burn, 3 in Tyne Valley E, at Wylam Horsley, Bradley Hall and Hyons Wood, 3 in Tyne Valley W at Bywell, Stocksfield E and Corbridge. Outside these areas the only confirmed/probable pair was in the Devil's Water at Dukesfield. The possible breeding sites were widely scattered, comprising Woodhall, between Hexham-Haydon Bridge where breeding has been confirmed before, Dalton, in the Devil's Water, and Callerton Grange, in Tyne Valley E. There was no recorded or suspected persecution. Overall, a little more optimism is justified with consolidation of the population in the east of the study area. There is little sign of the birds moving into the west.

More details of the Red Kite breeding season for 2014 are available in Table 8.

Table 8: Breeding Data for Red Kite in SW Northumberland by area in 2014

Another year of steady progress, particularly in the number of occupied sites in Tyne Valley W, rising from 3 in 2013 to 9 in 2014. Numbers fledged were on the surface static but the indifferent weather in August, the only month to have below-average temperatures in 2014 with strong winds from a remnant hurricane, affected fieldwork and inhibited the birds' activity. It is thought for instance that fledging may well have gone undetected at at least 1 of the Derwent sites and at least 1 of the Tyne Valley W sites. So the apparently continued low productivity does need to be qualified. The successful birds were all in a relatively small area bounded by Stocksfield/Bywell to the W (3 broods of 1), Wylam to the E (2 broods of 1) and the Bradley Burn to the S (1 brood of 2). It is likely that many of the birds in Tyne Valley W were inexperienced breeders, which may well do better in 2015. Outside these areas the only confirmed pair was in the Devil's Water in the West Dipton area (1 brood of 1). No birds were seen W of Tyne Meet: it appears that newly prospecting pairs have targeted Tyne Valley W this year. There was no recorded or suspected persecution. Overall, the Red Kite has established an inner core of successful breeding sites in the Wylam-Prudhoe-Stocksfield area and is clearly looking to expand its range further W towards Hexham.

More details of the Red Kite breeding season for 2015 are available in Table 9:

Table 9: Breeding Data for Red Kite in SW Northumberland by area in 2015

A year of consolidation, with a reasonably prospering core area but no signs of expansion to the W of Corbridge. The weather in spring was very cool and windy but this did not seem to affect breeding success with a record total of 9 fledged broods, totalling 12 young, with 3 broods of 2 birds, all records for the study area in the current recolonisation. The area in which the birds were found was similar to that in 2014 with 24 adults (30 in 2014) seen at 19 sites (18 in 2014); area-wise the pattern did not change significantly with 2 more sites in Derwent offset somewhat by 1 less site in Tyne Valley W. The successful birds were again mainly in a relatively small area bounded by Stocksfield/Bywell to the W (3 broods of 4), Wylam to the E (1 brood of 1) and the area to the S between the Bradley Burn and the Derwent, east of the Reservoir (4 broods of 6). Further success was noted at Callerton to the NE (1 brood of 1). Outside these areas the only birds found were near the Devil's Water, where birds were seen in the spring at 2 sites. No birds were seen W of Tyne Meet: indeed Riding Mill and Broomleyfell appear to mark the W boundary along the Tyne. There was no recorded or suspected persecution. Overall another year of steady progress in the established core area.

More details of the Red Kite breeding season for 2016 are available in Table 10:

Table 10: Breeding Data for Red Kite in SW Northumberland by area in 2016

This was the year of the Red Kite in Northumberland. The number of broods more than doubled from 9 to 22 with a similar increase in the young fledged from 12 to 30. There were 8 broods of 2 young and 14 of 1 young, making this easily the most productive since the recolonisation started in 2006. A map of the sites is revealing. The Derwent area on the northern flank of the Gateshead population, and extending across the N side of Derwent Reservoir onto the grouse moors up the Beldon Burn to the watershed at Riddlehamhope, was a major contributor to the success, with 11 sites occupied and 10 of these being successful, with 14 young fledged. 6 sites fledged young on the uplands to the W of Derwent Reservoir. Another stronghold is Tyne Valley E where 8 sites were occupied, around Prudhoe, Wylam and Throckley. These 2 areas form a solid block of colonisation on the N side of Gateshead and County Durham, giving a large contiguous area occupied, an aid to future stability. The Tyne Valley W had the same number of pairs as Tyne Valley E but success was lower with 4 pairs fledging young; the kites in this area like the N slopes of the valley, where they can hang in the prevailing SW breeze; the furthest W where breeding definitely occurred in the main Tyne Valley was Hexham Beaufront but a single 1w kite was N of Hexham Hermitage in October. Hexhamshire, encompassing the Devil's Water, appears to be a sink area with a surprising lack of records; an adult over NR's house in August was the only record here for the whole year. A novel feature was the 3 pairs breeding successfully much more to the W in the upper South Tyne, near Eals, and in the Allen. It is possible that these birds are from the Grizedale reintroduction scheme in the Lake District, rather than from the Gateshead one. The distance from Windermere to Alston is only 58 km; further the Grizedale birds seem to have scattered widely in the absence of a winter feeding scheme.

If we add the 35 localities reported by FoRK to the 30 found in SW Northumberland, it appears that the Red Kite now occupies 65 sites in NE England. There will be some overlap over the county boundaries but if we, say, assume the population to be 60 pairs, that is in line with the expectation quoted in the last FoRK report that there should be 50+ pairs now in the North East on standard population extrapolations developed for the UK. The Red Kite in NE England is not underperforming but the FoRKers are!

The roost census in the lower Derwent Valley by FoRK on 7th January 2017 found 57 birds at 3 sites, the majority at Gibside Red Kites at Roost Survey in the Derwent Valley (FoRK). The previous year's census found 43 so it looks as if some of the increased population in the study area is overwintering in the feeding area. It would certainly be plausible that the birds in the upper Derwent Valley (Beldon Burn, for instance) would simply move to lower altitudes in the Derwent Valley in winter. However, the increase of 14 in the roost count is far below the increase in the Tyne Valley population so the suggestion that this population is migratory still stands.

More details of the Red Kite breeding season for 2017 are available in Table 11:

Table 11: Breeding Data for Red Kite in SW Northumberland by area in 2017

This was a year of consolidation for the Red Kite in Northumberland with some slight retreat from the excellent breeding season in 2016. The number of sites found to be occupied declined from 30 to 29, the number of broods found fell from 22 to 16 and the number of young fledged fell from 30 to 21. There were 5 broods of 2 young and 11 of 1 young, making this season the second most productive since the recolonisation started in 2006. The Derwent area on the northern flank of the Gateshead population, and extending across the N side of Derwent Reservoir onto the grouse moors up the Beldon Burn to the watershed at Riddlehamhope, was again a major contributor to the success, with 10 sites occupied (11 in 2016) and 8 of these being successful, with 11 young fledged. All these pairs fledged young on moorland to the W and NW of Derwent Reservoir. The Tyne Valley W held 6 pairs (8 in 2016) with 2 pairs raising 2 young each in the Bywell area; territories were occupied as far W as the hills to the N of Hexham. Some encouraging occupation of the Devil's Water was noted with 4 sites in spring but no birds were seen in autumn; Hexhamshire has long appeared to be a sink for the species. The major change to the totals from 2016 was in Tyne Valley E where only 3 sites were found occupied (8 in 2016) with no young apparently raised. This may be a coverage problem with the Honey-buzzard survey taking priority and fairly brief visits to Throckley and S of Prudhoe. The population on the edge of the moors in the Allen and upper South Tyne areas expanded from 3 to 6 pairs, raising 5 young; these birds may be from the Grizedale reintroduction scheme in the Lake District. There are no systematic counts from elsewhere in NE England in summer 2017 with which to update the totals from the 60 pairs estimated in 2016. There is a feeling that some birds will have moved to the N of the study area so the regional population may well be significantly higher now.

More details of the Red Kite breeding season for 2018 are available in Table 12:

Table 12: Breeding Data for Red Kite in SW Northumberland by area in 2018

In spite of the reduced coverage this year, the number of sites found to be occupied was a record at 33, the number of broods equalled the previous record in 2016 at 22 and the number of juveniles found fledged was also a record at 32. However, the reduced coverage was countered to some extent by including records included in the bulletins of the Northumberland & Tyneside Bird Club from March to October 2018. Such additional records were particularly useful for filling in gaps where the species had been noted personally in previous years but which had not been visited in 2018: Carterway Heads and Derwent Gorge on the eastern side of Derwent Reservoir and Sparty Lea in the East Allen. A further 4 sites were added at the possible level. The number of possible sites (6) in total and the number of additional sites at the post-breeding level (6) suggest that there is much activity, not being completely monitored, or that new areas are still being actively colonised. The Derwent area on the northern flank of the Gateshead population, and extending across the N side of Derwent Reservoir onto the grouse moors up the Beldon Burn to the watershed at Riddlehamhope, was again a major contributor to the success, with 8 sites occupied (10 in 2017) and 6 of these being successful, with 11 young fledged. All these pairs fledged young on moorland to the W and NW of Derwent Reservoir. Tyne Valley E and Tyne Valley W also held 8 and 5 pairs each respectively so the total population in the Tyne Valley from Hexham to Newburn was 13 pairs (9 in 2017). The recovery in the Tyne Valley E area suggests that indeed coverage was imperfect in 2017 as suggested in last year's report. Recent encouraging occupation of the Devil's Water was finally converted into breeding success with 4 pairs raising 5 young, countering its reputation as a sink for the species. Further W, coverage of the Allen was poor but 3 pairs were noted in the lower South Tyne. In the upper South Tyne 3 sites were occupied with 2 pairs fledging at least 2 young.

Visible emigration was observed this year in autumn with 2 adult Red Kite moving S at Dipton Wood on 28th September and 2 adult moving SE over Bywell on 3rd October. All these birds soared to a great height and continued drifting in the direction indicated, accompanying Honey-buzzard juveniles in their emigration.

There are no systematic counts from elsewhere in NE England in summer 2018 with which to update the totals from the 60 pairs estimated in 2016. The regional population is surely significantly higher now with observations in the autumn of 2018 indicating further colonization in 2019. A regional total of c100 pairs does not seem implausible now with numerous kites having spread into areas with no significant survey activity. The introduction is secure and successful.

More details of the Red Kite breeding season for 2019 are available in Table 13:

Table 13: Breeding Data for Red Kite in SW Northumberland by area in 2019

Coverage was concentrated this year on the core area of the Devil's Water and Tyne Valley W with more opportunistic visits elsewhere. In spite of the reduced coverage this year, the number of sites found to be occupied was a record at 37 but the number of broods noted was lower at 17 against 22 last year. The number of broods recorded increased in the core area from 9 to 14 but was down from 4 to 0 in Tyne Valley E and from 6 to 2 in Derwent. Tyne Valley E was neglected this year, not only by myself, but also by other birdwatchers. As in 2018 records were included from the bulletins of the Northumberland & Tyneside Bird Club from March to October 2019. These gave one new site, Coanwood Pond, for the upper South Tyne. The main effect was in Derwent where the status at Carterway Heads was upgraded to probable and 7 further sites were added, 2 of which, Airy Holm and West Minsteracres, were at the confirmed level. It is likely that more of the birds seen in the Derwent area were juveniles but this was not apparently noted by the other observers. The Derwent area was still under-counted though with no records from 5-6 sites in the Beldon Burn area and the total of 4 sites at the possible level in Tyne Valley E does not reflect the actual population. Further W, coverage of the Allen, where a single juvenile was seen, was poor but 2 sites were occupied in the lower South Tyne and 3 in the upper South Tyne. The study area population is likely to be 50 pairs now. No visible migration was observed this year.

According to NTBC [Bulletin 2019, July] the NRG survey in 2019 found in Northumberland 3 nests which fledged 2x3 and 1x1 young plus 2-3 sites which were occupied but the nests were not found. As no sites are itemised (what is the point of this?) it is not possible to incorporate the data into my survey results. As an extensive survey the NRG survey is a failure, recording just 5% of the regional population.

So there are no systematic counts from elsewhere in NE England in summer 2019. However, a regional total of 100 pairs seems quite plausible now with 50 pairs in the study area, 30-40 in Durham and 10-20 elsewhere with a number of kites having spread into areas with no significant survey activity. It is very satisfying to report that the introduction is secure and successful.

More details of the Red Kite breeding season for 2020 are available in Table 14:

Table 14: Breeding Data for Red Kite in SW Northumberland by area in 2020

No visits were made to the upper South Tyne and fewer visits to the Allen and lower South Tyne owing to the way the national Honey-buzzard survey was conducted with emphasis on the eastern part of the study area this year. Coverage was concentrated this year therefore on the Devil's Water, Tyne Valley W and Tyne Valley E with systematic visits elsewhere mainly to the area to W and NW of Derwent Reservoir. The number of sites found to be occupied climbed strongly to 61 with confirmed breeding at 20 and probable breeding at 24. Quite a number of sites were found occupied in the spring before the Honey-buzzard returned, many holding displaying pairs. The Honey-buzzard survey from July-August concentrated effort on 10 key sites in Devil's Water, Tyne Valley W, Tyne Valley E, Derwent, but obviously reduced the scope for coverage elsewhere so it was not possible to check many of the Red Kite sites found in the spring. Since breeding success was high in the sites actually visited in August, it is likely that many of the sites in the probable category also did go on to breed successfully. The Red Kite has recolonised very successfully much of the lowland habitat in the eastern part of the study area. Next season the Honey-buzzard survey moves to the west of the study area so it will be interesting to see how the Red Kite is faring there in more upland habitat.

Red Kite does appear to be a migratory species in most of Northumberland. Numbers are very low in midwinter in the Tyne Valley and the

Devil's Water. In the Derwent area to the E of Derwent Reservoir, numbers are, however, maintained in winter and there is a suggestion that Northumberland birds are a short-distance migrant to County Durham and other areas to the S in winter. Visible migration was observed this year as follows: in spring, 3 NW at the eastern end of Slaley Forest on 31 March, 1 NW at the western end of Slaley Forest on 1 April, 1 W at Ordley (Devil's Water) on 2 April; in autumn, 3 S (2 adult, 1 juvenile) at Bywell on 15 October, 1 adult S at Styford on 15 October. The spring movement may have been detected at Carterway Heads where six birds on 23 March (N&TBC Bulletin).

As in 2019 records were included from the bulletins of the Northumberland & Tyneside Bird Club from March to October 2020. These added 2 sites to Lower South Tyne, 1 site to Allen and 8 sites to Derwent, these last along the Durham border to E of Derwent Reservoir, which I had not visited. So 11 sites in all were added from the bulletins to the 49 sites that I found from my own observations.

The sharp increase in numbers in Northumberland is accompanied by continued success in the species' original area in County Durham as reported by FoRK. Firstly the 2019-20 Winter Roosting survey “produced a fantastic result, a record best ever count of eighty-five kites was achieved, providing further optimism that the fortunes of red kites in the north east are changing for the better. The majority of the kites were noted at the two main roost sites: Forty at Pontburn Wood and forty at Gibside. The UK numbers will be collated and contributed to the European Roost Count held on the same weekend.” https://friendsofredkites.org.uk/2019%2F20winter-roosting. Secondly the 2020 breeding season: “Red kites had their best breeding season ever this year. A minimum of forty two chicks were known to have fledged from nineteen nests with a further five nests that had progressed to the incubation stage, sadly failing. ... The summer’s breeding success continued the story of a steady improvement in our regions red kites' fortunes over the last couple of years. With last winter’s encouraging roost numbers and a significant increase in the number of kite sightings outside the Derwent Valley, FoRK remain optimistic, even though it is disappointing that our birds are still suffering from persecution, that this will continue and look forward to witnessing the spectacular sight of large numbers of these birds coming into roost from September onwards and throughout the autumn and winter.” https://friendsofredkites.org.uk/2020-breeding-summary.

More details of the Red Kite breeding season for 2021 are available in Table 15:

Table 15: Breeding Data for Red Kite in SW Northumberland by area in 2021

This year, action moved to the west of the study area as the Honey-buzzard survey action was concentrated in that area. So many more visits were made to the upper South Tyne and Allen and fewer visits to the Derwent. Coverage was concentrated this year therefore on the upper South Tyne, Allen, Devil's Water, Tyne Valley W and Tyne Valley E. The total number of sites found to be occupied fell slightly from 61 to 56 and the total number of adults found declined from 84 in 2020 to 75. These are not thought to be real declines, probably stemming from a reduction in observer activity in spring after the frenetic activity in the Covid lockdown in spring 2020. The observer NR was absent for half of September 2021 in Gibraltar/Tarifa; this will have depressed the numbers of broods found. Despite these declines in total sites and coverage issues the number of juveniles known to have fledged was a record 44 in a record number of 28 broods. Further the news from the west of the study area was very encouraging with 15 sites occupied in the upper South Tyne and Allen with 16+ young raised at 11 sites. The habitat here is of sheepwalk and game estates, suggesting there is plenty of food and little persecution in these areas. Some of the birds in the western areas may originate from the Grizedale, Cumbria, reintroduction rather than the Gateshead one. The Red Kite has recolonised very successfully both the lowland habitat in the eastern part of the study area and the upland habitat in the western part.

Movements were not noted this year, except for one flying W at Swallowship in the Devil's Water area at 14:40 on 6 November. The absence in September did reduce observations in this critical month for raptor migration.

Two mixed pairs with Black Kite were noted this year, after one in 2020 (see Black Kite in Northumberland). To avoid complex handling of data, such pairs have been counted as pure Red Kite pairs for counting purposes on this page and the hybrid offspring have been counted as pure Red Kite juveniles. Two hybrid young were raised at one site in 2020 in Tyne Valley E and 4 hybrid young at two sites in 2021 in Tyne Valley E and Allen.

As in 2020 records were included from the bulletins of the Northumberland & Tyneside Bird Club from February (extended earlier in season from March in 2020) to October 2021. These added single sites to Allen, Lower South Tyne, Tyne Valley West and upper South Tyne. The main effect was on Derwent, increasing the 2 sites found by me to 15 sites, these last along the Durham border to E of Derwent Reservoir, which I had not visited. So 17 sites in all were added from the bulletins to the 39 sites that I found from my own observations. The bulletin writer acknowledged the increasing numbers with the comment “Heavy signs of expansion as 46 sightings this month” in the headlines for the March 2021 bulletin.

FoRK reported 67 birds at 2 roost sites in Durham at Gibside and Hamsterley Mill. in December 2020 https://friendsofredkites.org.uk/2020%2F2021-winter-roosting. Breeding report from FoRK: “In recent reports we’ve announced new record figures and this one is no exception. We know of forty-four chicks that have fledged this summer, from twenty successful nests, beating last year’s figure of forty-two. Sadly, there were six nests which failed with four of the failures due to the hailstorms and the cold, wet weather of May. Of the five garden nests found, two were lost during that period, but the three remaining successful nests fledged seven chicks.

There were three very late nests discovered this year: One was in Spen Banks, near Sherburn Towers Farm, Rowlands Gill and another was a re-lay in the Harperley Nature Reserve, near Tantobie. The third nest found was north-east of Whitley Chapel and this brought the total of known nests in south-east Northumberland up to three. The youngsters in the nest at Spen Banks fledged in late July, as did the Whitley Chapel brood of three, but the chicks in the Harperley nest did not fledge until the fifth of August. Red kite chicks normally fledge by the end of June”. Note the not unexpected late breeding of the birds near Whitley Chapel, close to my house. https://friendsofredkites.org.uk/2021-breeding-summary

More details of the Red Kite breeding season for 2022 are available in Table 16:

Table 16: Breeding Data for Red Kite in SW Northumberland by area in 2022

This year, the west of the county reverted to its status of 2020 in coverage terms with just 5 sites found occupied in the Allen, Tipalt and upper South Tyne areas, compared to 15 in 2021 and 2 in 2020. The Devil’s Water and Tyne Valley W area received normal fairly intensive coverage with 19 sites occupied, compared to 19 in 2021 and 28 in 2020. My coverage of Tyne Valley E was poor with 3 sites found occupied, compared with 5 in 2021 and 10 in 2020. I did not visit Derwent at all, relying on N&TBC coverage. and Derwent. The total number of sites found to be occupied fell from 56 to 40 and the total number of adults found declined from 75 in 2021 to 60. The major reason for the decrease in numbers found is likely to be reduced coverage with NR away for long periods in April, July and August, in catch-up with relations post-Covid. Some emphasis on Black Kite sites also reduced the time spent in the field elsewhere in the study area. However, it did not appear to be a successful breeding season with the pair at my home site near Ordley failing early on and the species was inconspicuous in late summer and early autumn when family parties should be on the wing. So the sharp fall in number of juveniles raised at 16 compared to 44 in 2021 and 25 in 2020, may reflect a poor breeding season. The reason for the decline in productivity is unclear at the present time.

Movements were not noted this year. No mixed pairs with Black Kite were noted this year: in previous mixed pairs the Red Kite was replaced by a Black Kite giving only pure pairs of Black Kite in 2022 (see Black Kite in Northumberland). There is some suggestion that where they interface, the more aggressive Black Kite are pushing the Red Kite out into adjacent areas.

As in 2021 records were included from the bulletins of the Northumberland & Tyneside Bird Club from February to October 2022. These added 2 sites each to upper South Tyne and Devil’s Water. The main effect was on Derwent where all 11 sites came from the Bulletin. So 15 sites in all were added from the bulletins to the 25 sites that I found from my own observations.

In 2022 FoRK reported "In recent years Northumberland has not produced the breeding pairs that could be expected. This, despite the very high number of sightings received, especially in the south west of the county. So, it is encouraging news indeed that there have been 5 confirmed territories with 4 successful nesting attempts from, producing at least 8 chicks." FoRK Breeding Summary

More details of the Red Kite breeding season for 2023 are available in Table 17: