The Welsh Kite Trust

DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY

There were 14 occupied kite territories found in Dumfries and Galloway this year. Two of the 14 territories contained non-laying pairs. At the other 12 territories, all pairs laid eggs. Two clutches failed at the egg stage, the remaining ten nests produced 18 young and all fledged successfully.

All young were ringed and had wing tags fitted to them. There were wo firsts for the project this year, our 2003 Galloway bred kite paired with a 2003 released kite and they fledged one young. FC Scotland land had a successful nest on it where two 2003 released kites paired and fledged two young. To date 14 of the fledged young have been identified at the feeding station at Bellymack Hill Farm.

For the final phase of the reintroduction project it was hoped to release ten young kites, however owing to poor spring weather, in Central Scotland in particular, we were only able to obtain four from North Scotland These were collected in late June, and prior to release on the 5 August, all were fitted with backpack radio transmitters.

After remaining in the release area for about three weeks, they dispersed. Two are still present in the core area, one is in South Ayrshire. The whereabouts of the other is unknown..

Of the ten 2004 released kites, seven can still be found within the core area, one was found dead [cause of death unproven], and two have not been recorded since early spring. Of our three Galloway bred 2004 kites, two are easily seen at the feeding station most days, whilst the other has not been recorded since 18 March. It is hoped that these nine will remain with us and join the breeding population in 2006.