The Nature of Scotland – Autumn 2011 – Issue 13

“The project to reintroduce red
kites… is now hailed as one of
Europe’s biggest conservation
success stories.”
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Estates help
Several private estates hosted red kite release aviaries,
where young imported red kite chicks were held until they
were old enough to fledge and be released. Staff on these
estates also helped provide food supplies for the red
kites during their brief captivity and until the young birds
dispersed and were able to forage for themselves.
Moray Estates became involved in the red kite release
programme in the mid-1990s when SNH and RSPB
Scotland were looking for a central Scotland estate of a
reasonable size, where they could release birds easily with
little chance of people disturbing them. Lord and Lady Moray
were happy to take part and have kept an active interest
in the success of the programme ever since. The estate is
delighted to be part of the project and thrilled that it’s been
such a success. Indeed, it’s now an unusual day if you don’t
see a number of kites circling above the Braes of Doune.
Moray Estates are extremely proud of the many birds of
prey that they have across their estates and fully support
Scottish Land & Estates’ (the body representing land based
businesses in rural Scotland) efforts to stamp out the illegal
persecution of these birds.
Nowadays, thanks to these efforts and the continued
watchful eye of conservationists – allied with the landowners
who host breeding pairs of red kites on their land – the
species is making a slow comeback. However, Duncan Orr-
Ewing warns that the bird’s recovery is being held back by
the reckless acts of a minority.
“Unfortunately, all the hard work to return these birds
to where they rightfully belong is being put at risk by
individuals who continue to use poison baits illegally and
indiscriminately to kill wildlife in the countryside.
“The red kite is mainly a scavenger, so it’s particularly
vulnerable to this activity, even though the bird poses no
risk to any land use interests. We know from our research
and monitoring work that illegal poisoning is stopping the
spread of the red kite population in some parts of Scotland.
However, we’re encouraged that the majority of responsible
landowners are now working with us to help solve this
problem, which affects not only red kites but other vulnerable
wildlife as well.”
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www.snh.gov.uk 61
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