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Wildlife detectives take part in new Forensics Training programme

PSNI investigate death of two white-tailed eagles

PSNI launch Operation SUBRISION to deter and detect rural and wildlife crime

Lewisham man convicted for illegally exporting ivory

Operation EASTER launched for 2023 - stopping egg thieves and egg collectors

Monmouthshire man guilty of destroying habitat containing Dormice, Slow Worm, Grass Snake, Great Crested Newts, Bats and Badgers

Monmouthshire company fined for damaging an important Great Crested Newt habitat

Two Lincolnshire men sentenced under new hare coursing legislation

Hoard of suspected poached deer skulls and fox tails uncovered after drugs raid in Nottinghamshire

National first as Essex poachers banned from owning dogs

Four men sentenced following hare coursing incidents in Stirling and the Borders

Fine for angler who gave false name to NRW enforcement officer

Blaenau Gwent man prosecuted for encouraging dog to enter a live badger sett

Carlisle man bludgeoned badger with shovel then tossed it to dogs

Warwickshire Hunt hit with notice from police amid concerns about 'dangers' on roads

Gloucestershire man fined after messages showed him bragging and admitting to the illegal hunting of foxes

Two Gwent fishermen caught and in court for illegal netting

Bird of prey poisoned, Horncastle, Lincolnshire

Dorset hunt master found guilty and fined £6,800

Fines for two men caught digging at active badger sett on Wrexham farm


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.


  • Wildlife Crime Press Coverage

    • Wildlife detectives take part in new Forensics Training...
      May 24, 2023
    • PSNI investigate death of two white-tailed eagles
      May 22, 2023
    • PSNI launch Operation SUBRISION to deter and detect...
      May 22, 2023
    • Lewisham man convicted for illegally exporting ivory
      April 4, 2023
    • Operation EASTER launched for 2023 - stopping egg thieves...
      April 4, 2023


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