After these 19th century claims by Thompson, the Red Kite remained unrecorded until one lucky observer watched a single bird in Co Down on 17th December 1951. Amazingly, our next record was not until 1978(27 years later), with only a trickle of further sightings until birds from the RSPB release scheme in Northern Scotland began arriving here in the early 1990's

Since 1991, it has evidently become clear that the majority of Red Kites reaching our shores originate from reintroduction schemes in Northern and now Central Scotland, with several birds sporting coloured wing-tags on arrival. Sadly, the arrival of these birds now obscure genuine vagrants from Wales and mainland Europe,from where our first recognised records undoubtedly came.

To the annoyance of many, a Red Kite with yellow wing-tags from the new release programme in Central Scotland was found poisoned in April 1997. This bird had been present from December 1996 in Co Antrim, and had made its way to Co Tyrone where it was subsequently found. This was the "first" ever case of a Red Kite being poisoned in N. Ireland and hopefully the last. As Kites are prone to feeding on carrion the risk will always remain, but there are lessons to be learned from this incident for everyone! Then in 1999, came the "surprising" news that two Red Kites were holding territory at a mixed plantation in a secluded area of South Down.

This was probably the first record of two Red Kites occupying suitable breeding habitat in Ireland during the 20th century. The habitat selected was ideal, with nearby farms and lots of prey available in the form of Corvids, Woodpigeons and rabbits, which I had observed at Red Kites nests in the Highlands of Scotland. Sightings were regularly observed by locals, DOE staff and myself during June, but it soon become known that both birds had been present from at least May. During a visit on 19th June, I observed one bird and found fresh excreta and a moulted secondary feather below the forest canopy whilst searching for a potential nest site. Not surprisingly none was found, but I did learn that secondaries are usually the first main flight feathers to be moulted by immature Red Kites (pers comm Brian Etheridge & Lorcan O'Toole RSPB Highland and Central Scotland). Both of the above mentioned were regularly informed of the birds' progress and they provided me with useful advice during their unexpected stay. Considering the good numbers of Red Kites that have frequented here in recent years, perhaps it was inevitable that a pair of these amazing raptors would eventually try to reside here!

In 2000, probably the same pair of Red Kites were present at the same plantation, and were regularlv observed throughout the summer to at least the 4th October. A couple whose home is adjacent to the forest would regularly observe both birds soaring and seemingly displaying over the plantation and an adjoining field during this period, but breeding was not suspected. A nearby farmer was also delighted that both birds were frequenting his land, and I allayed his fears when I told him the Red Kites were not a threat to his livestock when both were observed "worming", close to where his sheep and lambs were grazing. At the time of writing this note (April 2001), foot and mouth precautions prevail in the South Down area, but I have been reliably informed that no birds have been observed so far. Brian Etheridge and former warden Lorcan O'Toole are confident, that if the same birds appear again at this site they will almost certainly breed this year as they would now have reached maturity, they are probably both 3-years old. Watch this space, for hopefully a success story to kick off the New Millennium.

Finally, with the recent breeding of Goshawk and Short-eared Owl, plus the amazing tree-nesting Hen Harriers and the over-summering of Ospreys along with good numbers of migrating Marsh Harriers, Northern Ireland would welcome the addition of this beautiful raptor to our breeding list!
DON SCOTT: Hawk & Owl Trust Rep. for Northern Ireland.