Northern Kites, the project that brought the red kite back to the North-East of England

Northern Kites was one of the northeast of England’s most high profile wildlife initiatives, running from 2004-2007 It aimed to return breeding red kites to the region whilst providing its communities and people with an opportunity to enjoy and appreciate one of the most spectacular elements of our wild heritage.

The Northern Kites Partners worked together to re-introduce red kites to their former breeding range in the north of England, after an absence of 150 years, and provided opportunities for people to see these spectacular birds. The project was a world first in re-introducing kites into a semi-urban environment centred on Gateshead’s Derwent Valley.

The Northern Kites Project was managed by:

• The RSPB
• Natural England

In partnership with:

• Gateshead Council
• Northumbrian Water
• The National Trust
• The Forestry Commission

With additional funding from:

• The Heritage Lottery Fund
• SITA Trust

The End

The Northern Kites Project came to an end in July 2007, It was fantastic success and achieved more than was ever thought possible, thanks to the support of the people of the northeast, releasing a total of 94 red kites between 2004-2007 in the lower Derwent Valley