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Breaking

New lead for National Wildlife Crime Unit

New Scottish wildlife crime investigator appointed for NWCU

Deer hunter in PSNI who had carcasses in cold-room at home fined £6k

Another satellite-tagged hen harrier has disappeared in the Yorkshire Dales

PAW Northern Ireland launches Badger Persecution Report 2016-2018

Police Scotland launch second phase of year-long wildlife crime campaign focusing on Badger Persecution

Police Scotland appeal for information - poisoned bird of prey - Ruthven, Moy

Caerphilly man found guilty for offences against red kites and a badger

Telford raids sees hundreds of exotic animals rescued

London building company handed largest ever fine in relation to a wildlife crime

Badger Trust launches 'stop badger crime' video starring Mike Dilger

Protected River Lugg in Herefordshire was 'bulldozed' in 'wildlife crime'

Angler found guilty of fishing without permission on Norfolk Broad

Man who illegally sold jewellery containing elephant hair sentenced

NWCU intelligence sharing results in Swedish prison sentence for CITES crimes

North Yorkshire Police appeal for information after red kite poisoned in Ryedale

Motherwell man sentenced for badger baiting

Badger baiting: North Wales Farm worker Damien Sweeney jailed

South Yorkshire Police execute warrant in connection to poisoned Peregrine Falcon

Derbyshire Police charge male for theft of Peregrine Falcon eggs


Home / Animal of the Month / Red Kite

Red Kite


redkite10dRed kites were once common in the UK, but unfortunately were gradually persecuted to extermination in all of the UK apart from Wales. Since 1989 there has been a series of reintroductions of birds donated by other countries that started in the Chilterns and concluded with a release in 2007 on the perimeter of the city of Aberdeen.

The recent deaths of a large number of kites in Easter Ross in Scotland, through yet more persecution, has made this an appropriate Bird of the Month for April. It is likely that some of these birds would have been paired up or even beginning to nest, so the potential loss to the area’s kite population may be much higher than simply those picked up dead.

Kites have a relatively small beak and small talons, making the bird much more suited to living off carrion. They prefer to feed from sheep or deer carrion, rabbits that have died from disease or from road kill. This carrion-eating habit unfortunately makes them especially susceptible to being poisoned by baits left out in the open. Even if the illegal bait is not meant for a red kite, they, along with buzzards and crows, are likely to be the first to spot it and be lured to their death.

Red kite - in flight - raptor - bird of preyThough red kite numbers are very gradually increasing, we are still far from the stage when almost any visitor to the countryside is likely to encounter one of these beautiful birds. Look out for an elegant and graceful bird of prey with a chestnut-red chest, a wingspan of around 1.7 metres and a long forked tail. Even better if a winter roost or an artificial feeding site can be visited where the birds can be seen in large numbers. They are spectacular birds, which makes their continuing persecution all the more tragic.


  • NWCU & Police Press Releases

    • Three Kent men jailed for hunting and killing badgers,...
      September 28, 2020
    • Rural police operation to make North Yorkshire a no-go...
      August 21, 2020
    • Appeal for information after analysis reveals buzzard...
      July 24, 2020
    • North Yorkshire Buzzard killed by combination of four...
      May 27, 2020
    • Man charged with Raptor Persecution crimes in Stewartry
      April 9, 2020
  • Wildlife Crime Press Coverage

    • New lead for National Wildlife Crime Unit
      January 18, 2021
    • New Scottish wildlife crime investigator appointed...
      January 15, 2021
    • Deer hunter in PSNI who had carcasses in cold-room...
      January 15, 2021
    • Another satellite-tagged hen harrier has disappeared...
      January 13, 2021
    • PAW Northern Ireland launches Badger Persecution Report...
      December 20, 2020


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