Red kite chicks have hatched in a nest in the Derwent Walk Country Park! The proud parents, named ‘Flag’ and ‘Red Philip’ by their adopting schools, have now begun the two-month process of providing the young with food.
This pair successfully raised one chick in 2006, making them the first red kites to breed in northeast England for nearly 200 years! This pair also successfully raised two chicks in 2007.
Although the nest is not visible, good views will be seen of the parents bringing food to the young from a viewpoint in the Derwent Walk Country Park in Gateshead. A public event will run from Monday 2nd June until Sunday 3rd August to allow visitors to watch the parents bring food to the nest.
Several pairs of kites displayed and acted territorially over the spring, resulting in a number of nesting attempts! We will bring you more news on these pairs soon.
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The northeast’s newest leisure trail for walkers, and Gateshead’s latest red kite tourist attraction, was officially opened by the Leader of Gateshead Council, Councillor Mick Henry, on Friday 30th May. Members of the aptly named Red Kite Ramblers Walking Group were the first to tackle the route.
Red Kite Trail Waymarker
The Red Kite Trail is an 18 kilometre (11 miles) circular walking route through the scenic countryside of the lower Derwent Valley in Gateshead and County Durham. It meanders through a beautiful mixture of mature woodlands, wetlands and open countryside where there are many opportunities to see red kites and a variety of other wildlife. It also passes by areas of important historical and heritage interest.
The Trail has been developed by Gateshead Council and the Northern Kites partnership, with additional support from Durham County Council, and is located almost entirely on existing public rights of way.
The Trail starts and finishes at Derwenthaugh Park car park at Winlaton Mill on the A694 (OS grid ref: NZ186609). It is identified by Red Kite Trail way-markers (in both directions) and can be walked either in two stages over two days, or as a longer walk in one day (see our Red Kite Trail pages)
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Go North East has scooped first prize in the Business category of Northumberland Wildlife Trust’s 2008 Conservation Awards. The prize was won for their Red Kites campaign, supported by the Northern Kites Project, for the 'Let's Go Flying, Kites' children’s book.
The cover of Jules Burnett's book
The campaign began with Go North East’s innovative work on the branding of the ‘Red Kite’ bus service - which runs from Newcastle City centre to Consett via ‘kite country’. Following on from the bus campaign, Go North East funded the production and publication of 'Let's Go Flying, Kites' with the aim of raising awareness of red kites and encouraging people to access the kites and countryside using more sustainable transport.
'Let's Go Flying, Kites' is the UK’s first children’s picture storybook about red kites and their conservation. The book was written and illustrated by local author Jules Burnett. He explains “The book tells how red kites were introduced to the North East after more than 170 years, following the antics of two young chicks, Squawk and Squeal. Go North East’s ‘Red Kite’ bus features as the environmentally conscientious way for visitors to see the birds.”
The book was officially unveiled by Martin Harris - Commercial Director of Go North East, at an event hosted by Seven Stories the centre for children's books, on 29th November 2007.
Attending the book launch were children from Rowlands Gill Community Primary School, these pupils had helped develop aspects of the book’s storyline. The author presented the very first copy of ‘Let’s Go Flying, Kites’ to pupil Thomas Pye at the book launch.
Go North East have also generously donated 400 copies of ‘Let’s Go Flying, Kites’ to Adopt a Kite schools across the region!
'Let's Go Flying, Kites' is available from the Seven Stories bookshop. For further details contact:
Seven Stories on telephone: 0845 271 077 or email: info@sevenstories.org.uk
The book is also available by mail order from:
Squawk and Squeal Publications on telephone: 0191 488 0344 or email: squawkandsqueal@talktalk.net
For further information about Go North East’s 'Red Kite' bus service please visit: www.simplygo.com or contact Go North East customer services on 0845 606 0260.
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The Northern Kites Project is reaching an ever-wider audience thanks to Wylam Brewery’s Northern Kite ale, the ruby beer is now available in the House of Commons bar!
Wylam Brewery and the Northern Kites Project were also the topic of an Early Day Motion recently.
House of Commons 25.3.08
Early Day Motion number 1257
REINTRODUCTION OF RED KITES TO NORTH EAST ENGLAND
Mr David Anderson
Mrs Sharon Hodgson
Mr Jim Devine
Mr David Clelland
Mr Stephen Hepburn
Mr Kevan Jones
That this House welcomes the introduction of Northern Kite Ale to the Strangers' Bar; notes that the ruby ale is brewed at the Wylam Brewery and that it has been produced to celebrate the welcome re-introduction of the red kite into the North East of England; recognises that the re-introduction of the kites is the first of its kind in that the birds were bred and freed very close to a large urban conurbation; is pleased to note that the project has gone from strength to strength and is a matter of great interest and pride in the local area; and sends both the Red Kites project and the Wylam Brewery the best wishes for their respective futures.
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The 'Environmental Merit Award' is a Northern Kites scheme that acknowledges the efforts made by Adopt-a-Kite schools or individual pupils who have shown awareness of local wildlife or sustainability issues and have acted upon them. Rowlands Gill Community Primary School were presented with the ‘Environmental Merit Award’ in March to thank and acknowledge the pupils and staff for their outstanding efforts in raising awareness for red kites and their return to the northeast. Awareness has been raised through the red kite they now have on their school badge. Red kite themed activities took place at the official opening of the school (incorporating red kite themed songs, dances and poems). Reception class pupils produced a red kite bus collage. Pupils have worked with local ceramic artist Melanie Hopwood to produce of a red kite totem pole for the school grounds. The school has also raised money for the RSPB by collecting donations for red kite pin badges. A valiant effort I am sure you will agree!
Now pupils are working with staff from Gibside National Trust estate to build a kitchen garden and mount bird boxes and bat boxes around the school grounds. Friends of Gibside have made a donation towards the purchase of a red kite wooden seat that sits in the schools reception area. Also, trees are being planted by staff from Gibside around the schools new outdoor wooden red kite seat.
Pupils Freddie Lightman and Jessica Coapes with the Red Kite bus collage
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Pupils at Shotley Bridge Junior School recently took part in a week packed full of red kite themed lessons and activities organized by teacher Claire Guthrie.
To kick-start the week, the Northern Kites Project gave an assembly at the school. During the week pupils worked on a life-size paper mache kite, each child produced at least one feather for the bird’s body and were asked to write an interesting fact that they had learnt about red kites on the back. The pupils did a brilliant job and the younger children said creating the paper mache body was their favourite activity of the week!
A large red kite collage was also produced which will take pride of place in the school hall and children took part in a red kite scavenger hunt. All Literacy and Numeracy lessons were given a red kite theme and pupils had the opportunity to produce a report on red kites.
A very busy, but enjoyable week was had by all!
Pupils start work on a life-size paper mache kite
Pupils working on the red kite collage
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Red kites are now a regular sight over Wylam Brewery, situated in the Tyne valley in Northumberland. This has inspired the brewery to name their new ruby beer after the bird. Matt Boyle, Wylam Brewery’s Brand Development Manager said “We felt the need to do this when we realised that Northumberland’s first nesting red kites in almost two centuries were being seen on a regular basis from the beer garden of our Brewery Tap, the Boathouse at Wylam, this spring.”
The new beer, named 'Northern Kite', hit the pumps this November bringing the red kite and the Northern Kites Project to an ever-wider audience!
The beer, which is available in cask and bottle versions, can now be sampled at pubs around the northeast region, as well as a number of retail outlets in its bottled version. For further details contact Wylam Brewery Ltd. on 01661 853377
Northern Kite now available across the region
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