Last updated at 14:45, Tuesday, 09 August 2011

THE spectacular release of 30 rare birds of prey marked the second phase of a landmark reintroduction programme.

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The Forestry Commission is spearheading the three-year project to reintroduce red kites into the region.

A year on from the first release of 30 birds, 30 more have fledged over Grizedale Forest.

The 11-week-old hatchlings came from a breeding site in Rockingham Forest, Northamptonshire when they were six-weeks-old.

The group spent a month gaining strength in a custom-made pen at a secret location before being set free into the wild, yesterday.

Forestry Commission wildlife ranger, Iain Yoxall, is the project leader for the reintroduction programme.

He said: “There has been a lot of hard work involved in looking after the birds, when they are in the pens. They have come on really well. It’s nice in one way, but worrying in another. There’s a bit of concern, but pride as well.

“The first year’s release went well. We have had a good survival rate – two thirds survived, which is exactly what we expected.

The juvenile raptors carry tags on each wing, an orange one on the left to show they are from Grizedale, and one on the right to indicate the year of release – white ones for 2011.

The Grizedale birds also carry radio transmitters to allow the forest’s rangers to monitor their progress and the scheme’s success, but the Forestry Commission is keen for people to report sightings of the birds to help judge their movements and support the project.

They hope by next year – there will be nests in the forest, as well as another 30 new releases.

Mr Yoxall hopes that following the death of several of last year's releases, people will be more open-minded about the juvenile raptors.

He said: “ It’s an out-of-date theory that these birds are a threat to livestock or game birds. They are meant to be here, they’re indigenous species in the area. It’s only through mainly human persecution that they aren’t here any way.”

First published at 12:12, Tuesday, 09 August 2011
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk