Key Species
Red Kite (Milvus milvus)
People Involved
Partners & Sponsors
Partners: Natural England, Predatory Bird Monitoring Scheme, RSPB
The red kite population in the UK has had a chequered history. Between the 18th and 20th century numbers dwindled to a handful of breeding pairs bringing the species to the brink of extinction in Britain. In 1989 a reintroduction programme was established by the RSPB and the Nature Conservancy Council. In the last 30 years birds reintroduced to the Chilterns, East Midlands, Yorkshire and North-East England have bred so successfully that there are now estimated to be over 5000 breeding pairs in England. The red kite however still faces significant threats from shooting and anti-coagulant rodenticide poisoning. Health surveillance thus remains critical in order to understand the challenges faced by the red kite population and to protect the species.
Red Kite (Milvus milvus)
Partners: Natural England, Predatory Bird Monitoring Scheme, RSPB