Spectacular red kite soars again after 200 years
The red kite seen in Co Wicklow where 30 of the birds of prey, with win spans up to 1.8m, were relased yesterday. Photos: John Griffin
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RED kite birds of prey soared high over the scenic Wicklow hills for the first time in more than 200 years yesterday.
Thirty of the spectacular birds, with wing spans of up to 1.8m, were released into the wild yesterday after journeying here from Wales.
The red kites were set free by Environment Minister John Gormley at an undisclosed location in the Wicklow mountains.
The secrecy was to protect the birds from prying eyes until they settle into their new habitat.
The minister said he was delighted to get a bird's eye view of the release.
"These wonderful birds became extinct in Ireland more than 200 years ago because of habitat change and persecution," he said.
"From today they can be seen again in the skies above Co Wicklow. This project . . . shows what we can achieve here in Ireland in terms of protecting and enhancing our natural heritage.
"The kites' return is a significant addition to our biodiversity and a wonderful complement to the golden eagle and white-tailed eagle restoration projects," added Mr Gormley.
The Wicklow Red Kite Project is a partnership between the Golden Eagle Trust, the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Welsh Kite Trust. Golden eagles have been released in Donegal, while white-tailed sea eagles are now in Killarney National Park.
Mr Gormley paid tribute to the persistent hard work of the Golden Eagle Trust.
"This and the other eagle projects could only come to fruition through co-operation between conservationists, landowners and the department. The kite project is an excellent model for the future," he said.
Damian Clarke, project manager, said he was delighted that his native county had been chosen as the first release site for the reintroduction of this spectacular bird to Ireland.
He looked forward to working closely with local farmers, landowners, community and recreational interests, he added.
"In future years these beautiful birds will become another tourist attraction in the Garden of Ireland, as they have done in Wales." The Red Kite is a bird of mixed lowland countryside.
A natural scavenger, it also feeds extensively on earthworms, small mammals such as rats and rabbits and birds such as magpies and other crows.
Experts say the Red Kite does not present any threat to livestock and in parts of the UK they have become major tourist attractions, as they perform for their spectacular aerial displays.
Any information on sightings should be sent to damianclarke@goldeneagle.ie.
- Treacy Hogan
