Red Kites are unlikely to be confused with any other UK species. They are large birds with a distinctive forked tail.

They have a wing-span of around 150 centimetres (5 feet) and a length of around 60 cms (2 feet), yet they weigh little more than a kilogram (2.20lbs)!

They are listed in Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 which gives them special protection, not least during their breeding season when they are protected against intentional or reckless disturbance of their nests and young. Detailed information about

Red Kites can be found in 'The Red Kite' by Ian Carter, Arlequin Press 2001, ISBN 1900159 61 9 (currently being reprinted and expected to be available by the end of 2007).

Red Kites became extinct in England and Scotland around 150 to 200 years ago. TheYorkshire Red Kite Project is one of nine which aim to see Red Kites re-established insuitable habitat in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic and linking up with the resurgent Welsh kite population which just managed to avoid extinction.

The Yorkshire Project, the fifth in this sequence, began in 1999. A total of 69 young birds, all sourced from the very successful initial English release area in The Chilterns, were released in Yorkshire up to 2003.

This figure was supplemented by an untagged bird of unknown origin which arrived in late 1999 – she obviously liked what she saw as she stayed and played a significant role in establishing a Yorkshire breeding population. Up to and including the 2007 breeding season, at least 320 young Red Kites have been raised inYorkshire nests.