Scotland’s red kites weather the storms
27/11/2011 06:48:10
STORM SURVIVORS: The fortunes of Scotland’s red kites were better than hoped. Picture: Andy Hay / rspb-images.com
But illegal killing impacts on 2011 breeding figures
November 2011: Stormy weather during this year's breeding season failed to blow Scotland 's red kite population off course.
New figures, compiled by RSPB Scotland and Scottish Natural Heritage, reveal that there are 186 breeding pairs in Scotland this year, 22 more than in 2010.
During this year's breeding season, a record 314 young fledged, the highest since reintroductions began in Scotland in 1989.
The red kite reintroduction programme is arguably the most successful scheme of its type in the UK and perhaps also more widely in Europe. It is now estimated that following reintroductions the UK holds between seven and ten per cent of the world red kite population.
Highlights of the 2011 season in Scotland include:
- Increased evidence of the breeding populations of red kites now merging. Wild bred birds from Central Scotland and North Scotland were found breeding in Angus, the first successful nesting of a pair of red kites in this district for nearly 150 years.
- The return of the species to Cairngorms Natural Park following a successful breeding attempt on Deeside.
However, severe gales in May did take a heavy toll on some local populations, particularly those in Central Scotland, with nests and eggs being blown from trees or nesting trees blown over. A total of 76 young fledged in Central Scotland compared to 93 the previous year. Other populations were much less severely affected by the weather.
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