1. GN65427 - Black/Yellow 93. Originally ringed as a single chick in a nest near Llanfihangel-y-creuddyn on 24th June 2004. This bird was found under wind-turbines on 9th March 2005 at a site near Aberystwyth. The left wing had been completely severed at the carpal joint. When first handed in the injury was fresh and still bleeding. It appeared otherwise to be in good condition both bodily and in its plumage. The bird was still alive but has since been euthanased. . This corpse was sent to Ngaio Richards as part of her investigation into NSAIDs (see article).
2. GN54013 - Black/White W. Ringed as only chick in a nest near Ammanford on the 16th June 2002. Found dead under power lines not far from where it was ringed on 19th March 2005. This bird has tested positive for poison and investigations are currently in progress.
3. GN20894 - Black/Yellow 34. Originally ringed as the elder chick in a brood of two at a nest near Pant-y-dwr, Rhayader on 17th June 2004. It was found freshly dead on 25th March 2005 near to where it had been ringed by two walkers and was handed to the Radnorshire Wildlife Trust who passed it on to us. Subsequent analysis showed that it had died from fenthion poisoning and also had sublethal levels of the rodenticides difenacoum. Local enquiries by Welsh Assembly Government staff failed to identify the source. Two local kite pairs were missing during the following season, including the parents of this bird, and it is assumed they also fell victims to the same incident. The body has been sent to Ngaio Richards.
4. GF52941 (Blue DI) Ringed as the elder chick in a brood of two at a nest near Llandeilo on 11th June 2005. No reported sightings until found freshly dead on the side of the road at Llanllwni on 13th June 2005. The body was sent for analysis but we are still awaiting the results.
5. HW83376 Found dead at the side of the road just outside Devil's Bridge on 10th August 2005. Originally ringed as a single chick (male) in a nest just outside Devil's Bridge on 25th June 1985 and wing-tagged Blue P. He had fledged the nest by 12th July 1985 and was still nearby on 25th July 1985. He was next seen the following spring, on 28th Feb 1986, at Tyn Domen Tip (the original Tregaron Feeding Station) and was recorded a few times over the following year or so. On 9th April 1987 he was seen associating with Red O back at Devil's Bridge but no nest resulted. In 1988 he bred just outside Devil's Bridge in the Rheidol Gorge but the nest failed by early June. He nested at a different nearby site in 1989 but again failed. The only subsequent record was a probably sighting at a nest near Capel Trisant in April/May 1992. He must have lost his tags soon after and has no doubt had been breeding in the Devil's Bridge area ever since. At over 20 years old this is one of the oldest kites recorded.
6. GN54122 - Black/White E. This is the bird found hanging in a tree by baler twine on New Year's Day 2003. She was released on 13th January 2004 and had remained around Gigrin ever since, being a regular at the feeding station. When released initially it was noted that one of her feet was turned under. As this was not the reason for her being in care it was decided to release her. In August 2005 she came back in again having being found attacked and grounded by crows. Her injured foot had worsened and the other foot had developed bumble foot, probably due to it having to take all her weight all the time. Unfortunately the decision was taken that she wasn't fit to release again and as the injuries were untreatable she was euthanased.
