The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) 'Granite City Kites' project will reintroduce 90 red kites into Aberdeenshire over the next 3 years. In the first phase they intend to collect 30 chicks from nests at 3 sites including 10 chicks from the Black Isle. The chicks will be raised at a purpose built feeding station in Aberdeenshire then fitted with transmitters before being released into the wild in August.
Back in June Landward was given exclusive access by the RSPB to film a Red Kite chick being taken from a nest. The chick was taken to Aberdeen to become part of a new re-introduction campaign and now it's ready to be released back into the wild.
The Red Kite is one of the most elegant and graceful birds of prey to be found in the British Isles, but in Scotland they are still a very rare sight especially if you live in the North East.
The RSPB have been raising 30 Red Kite chicks for release back into the wild and Landward has been following the relocation of one bird in particular. The RSPB estimate that around 40% of Red Kites in Scotland are killed by illegal poisoning.
To follow this story, watch the Red Kites video from Landward.
Page first published on Thursday 6th September 2007
Page last updated on Tuesday 17th June 2008
