Weather Fails To Beat Red Kite Breeders

Wet and stormy weather has played havoc with plants and animals across Northern Ireland.

But the RSPB are celebrating that the population of red kites here has actually increased.

There are twelve known breeding pairs of the rare bird in Northern Ireland now, three more than last year.

But the weather did take its toll in some ways – nests were blown from trees, including one with a chick in it.

Adam McClure, RSPB Red Kite Officer, said: "The unseasonably warm period which we experienced back in March allowed the breeding season to get off to a good start, however, since then we have had some truly horrendous weather and the kites have had to suffer some pretty challenging conditions."

As well as the two pairs which failed due to the weather, a third pair failed during nest building and abandoned their breeding attempt, which is not unusual.

Mr McClure said: "We hope that this pair will stay together and try again next season."

One bird was adopted by Methodist College, Belfast and given the name Ruby after ingesting suspected rat poison and nearly dying.

Mr McClure said the near-death for Ruby "highlights the risk" of misusing poisons.

At least fourteen young red kites fledged in Northern Ireland during this year’s breeding season, the highest number since reintroduction project began in 2008.

They are closely monitored by RSPB staff and volunteers.

(NE)