Wing Tag 21

Wing Tag 22

Wing Tag 23

Wing Tag 24

Wing Tag 25

Wing Tag 26

Wing Tag 27

Wing Tag 28

Wing Tag 29

Wing Tag 30

Wing Tag 31

Wing Tag 32

Wing Tag 33

Wing Tag 34

Wing Tag 35

Wing Tag 36

Wing Tag 37

Wing Tag 38

Wing Tag 39

Wing Tag 40

Wing Tag 41

Wing Tag 42

Wing Tag 43

Wing Tag 44

Wing Tag 45

Wing Tag 46

Wing Tag 47

Wing Tag 48

Wing Tag 49

Wing Tag 50

Wing Tag 51

Wing Tag 52

Wing Tag 53

Wing Tag 54

Wing Tag 55

Wing Tag 56

Wing Tag 57

Wing Tag 58

Wing Tag 59

Wing Tag 60

Wing Tag 78

Name:

Winlaton Phoenix

Wing Tag:

21

Adopted by:

Winlaton West Lane Community Primary School, Gateshead (previously adopted Flash, Wing Tag 10 who died)

Male/Female: 

Female

Release Date:

8th July 2005

Key Activities:

Since release, Winlaton Phoenix has spent the majority of her time in the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn.  Her preferred roosts have varied between Barlow, Sherburn Tower Farm at Rowlands Gill and Gibside.  She has been seen foraging and feeding in Barlow Burn and at the Burnhills SITA landfill site with several other kites. She still enjoys the feeding around the Barlow Burn area.

In the summer of 2006 Winlaton Phoenix was not detected in Gateshead from early June until mid-August. A photograph taken in Scotland at this time clearly shows the wing tags of Winlaton Phoenix - it would appear she summered in Scotland! This has only come to light recently. Since then she has been in Gateshead. In February 2007 Winlaton Phoenix was detected several times near Wylam in the Tyne Valley, on one occasion with WT59, as well as at her usual haunts around Barlow.

Having initially spent time with WT59 in the early spring, Winlaton Phoenix finally paired up with WT51. The pair successfully raised one chick, the first red kite chick to be raised in Northumberland for over 170 years! The chick, which has been fitted with a leg ring and wing tags A5, fledged in late July 2007.

On 22nd January, Winlaton Phoenix was seen with WTA5 at Barlow Burn.

On 11th February 2008, Winlaton Phoenix was seen with five other kites (including mate WT51 and juvenile WTA5) feeding in a field and perching on fence posts just north of the Barlow Burn.

In spring 2008 Winlaton Phoenix and mate WT51 were seen displaying together, though they are not known to have nested.

On 22nd September 2008, Winlaton Phoenix was seen roosting with seventeen other kites near Sherburn Towers housing estate in Rowlands Gill, Gateshead.

Current Location:

Gateshead

Name:

Sapphire

Wing Tag:

22

Adopted by:

St. Joseph’s Catholic Junior School, Gateshead (previously adopted Wing Tag 17 who died)

Male/Female: 

Female

Release Date:

8th July 2005

Key Activities:

Since release, WT22 has spent the majority of her time in the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn.  Her preferred roosts have varied between Barlow and Sherburn Tower Farm at Rowlands Gill.  She was seen foraging and feeding at Lintz Hall Farm near Hamsterley Mill in August 2005 and since then, regularly in Barlow Burn and the lower Derwent valley. She was last detected near Crawcrook on 18th June 2006 near Gibside.

She was not detected again until 12th October 2007, when a faint signal from her transmitter was tracked to the Burnopfield area of Gateshead.

Sapphire was next seen on 27th June 2008, she was feeding on a hay crop at Beda Hills in Gateshead with WT48 and several other kites. She has not been detected since.

Current Location:

Unknown

Name:

Rosie

Wing Tag:

23

Adopted by:

Teesdale School, Barnard Castle

Male/Female: 

Female

Release Date:

8th July 2005

Key Activities:

A few days after release, WT23 left the Lower Derwent Valley and headed south. By early August 2005, she was reported at Hamsterley, then several days later near Frosterley, both in Weardale.  By the end of August, she had joined WT5 and WT3 near Barnard Castle in Teesdale.  WT3 did not stay with them for long, but soon after, in October 2005, they were joined by WT57. WT23 has since remained in this area flying and foraging between woodland near Eggleston and Kinninvie.  She has played 'Auntie' to the juvenile kites in the area and was seen regularly in their company.

Rosie was last detected on 2nd December 2006. However, the battery on her transmitter will be losing power therefore she may only be detected by a visual sighting. One such sighting confirmed Rosie was near Eggleston on 5th April 2007.

This has been followed by no detections since.

Current Location:

Unknown

Name:

Starfire

Wing Tag:

24

Adopted by:

Chopwell Primary School, Gateshead

Male/Female: 

Female

Release Date:

8th July 2005

Key Activities:

Since release, Starfire has spent the majority of her time in the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn.  In October 2005, she was tracked to a roost in Iveston area near Consett but her preferred roosts have varied between Barlow, Sherburn Tower Farm at Rowlands Gill and Gibside. She spent some of her summer in Gateshead but on 18th June she joined other kites near Barnard Castle in Teesdale but returned to Gateshead in late September. She is regularly recorded in the Gateshead area.

Starfire spent time with WT40 in early spring but has since paired up with WT59 (Crookhill Blaze). The pair are known to have successfully raised one chick that fledged earlier than expected at the beginning of July. The chick left the nest before any wing tags were fitted making it a truly wild kite. Reports of a family party of kites consisting of two adults and two juveniles were received in early July. This was in the territory of Crookhill Blaze & Starfire, prompting suspicions that they managed to raise two chicks!

During the winter months Starfire has regularly been roosting near Sherburn Towers housing estate in Rowlands Gill and also at Gibside.

It is unconfirmed if Starfire and WT59 bred in 2008. However, an unconfirmed pair have raised two chicks in the Rowlands Gill area, one of these chicks has been fitted with a leg ring and wing tags B2. It is suspected that Starfire and WT59 are the parents.

On 22nd September 2008, Starfire was seen roosting with seventeen other kites near Sherburn Towers housing estate in Rowlands Gill, Gateshead.

Current Location:

Unknown

Name:

Bede

Wing Tag:

25

Adopted by:

St. Bede’s RC Primary School, Durham

Male/Female: 

Female

Release Date:

8th July 2005

Key Activities:

Four days after release, WT25 was no longer detected in the lower Derwent valley.  In December 2005, her wing tags were read by an experienced observer, identifying her presence in Barlow Burn.  No transmitter signals were noted, indicating that her transmitter is possibly no longer working.  There is also the possibility that she has been outside the area for most of the time. She was not detected again until early October 2006, when she was found in north Northumberland, just south of Coldstream. She was detected in Gateshead on 21st December 2006. Then following a report that kites had been seen near Plessey Woods, in southeast Northumberland, further investigation on 11th March revealed WT25 was in the area. Bede has not been detected since.

Current Location:

Unknown

Name:

Red Crystal

Wing Tag:

26

Adopted by:

All Saints Primary School, Durham

Male/Female: 

Female

Release Date:

8th July 2005

Key Activities:

For the first month after her release, WT26 spent the majority of her time in the Barlow Burn area.  She was not recorded again until November 2005 when her signal was detected flying southwest of Lanchester.  In early February 2006, a report was made of a WT26 in Crimdon Dene close to Teesside.  Later monitoring in March 2006, confirmed her presence in the Teesside area near the village of Hart, near Hartlepool. In April 2006, she was detected back in Gateshead’s lower Derwent valley.  She returned briefly in early June where she was seen sitting on the pen calling to the newly arrived juvenile kites. She was not detected again until 2nd March 2007, when her signal was picked up at the Team Valley.  She was eventually tracked to the Chester-le-Street area of County Durham. Red Crystal has not been detected since.

Current Location:

Unknown

Name:

Lindy Feather

Wing Tag:

27

Adopted by:

Lindisfarne Community Primary School, Gateshead

Male/Female: 

Female

Release Date:

8th July 2005

Key Activities:

Since release, Lindy Feather has spent the majority of her time in the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn.  Her preferred roosts have varied between Barlow and Sherburn Tower Farm at Rowlands Gill. In late April 2006, she left Gateshead to explore other areas and has not been detected since. However, a report from bird watchers in Scotland detected Lindy Feather on the Perth to Dundee Road in Scotland on 27th November 2006. In early February, the transmitter signal identified the bird near Angus in North Scotland. However, upon further investigation, the kite was unfortunately found dead.

It was hoped Lindy Feather had died of natural causes. However, following a postmortem on the remains, it has come to light that Lindy Feather had been poisoned using Carbofuran - a known substance that has historically been used to poison birds of prey. Sadly, the persecution of red kites is still a problem in north Scotland.

Current Location:

Deceased

Name:

Agnes

Wing Tag:

28

Adopted by:

St. Agnes RC Primary School, Gateshead

Male/Female: 

Female

Release Date:

16th July 2005

Key Activities:

Since release, Agnes has spent the majority of her time in the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn.  Her preferred roosts have varied between Barlow and Sherburn Tower Farm at Rowlands Gill.  She was seen foraging and feeding at Lintz Hall Farm near Hamsterley Mill in August 2005, again in March 2006 and regularly in Barlow Burn and the Lower Derwent Valley. In April 2006, she has regularly seen displaying with WT36 at Hamsterley Hall in the lower Derwent valley where they set up a territory but did not nest.

Agnes continued to spend time with WT36 (Fire Flight) and in spring 2007 they again set up a territory. However, this time they built a nest together and have successfully raised one chick! The chick has been fitted with a leg ring and wing tags A6. The chick fledged late July 2007.

On 13th September 2007, Agnes was observed flying with A6 around Pontop Pike in County Durham.

Agnes and Fire Flight have bred successfully in Gateshead for a second consecutive year. They have raised two chicks, one of which has been fitted with a leg ring and wing tags C0. The chicks fledged in July 2008.

Current Location:

Lower Derwent Valley, Gateshead

Name:

No name given

Wing Tag:

29

Adopted by:

Fell Dyke Community Primary School, Gateshead

Male/Female: 

Female

Release Date:

11th July 2005

Key Activities:

Since release, WT29 spent the majority of her time in the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn.  Her preferred roosts were at Sherburn Tower Farm and Spen Banks wood at Rowlands Gill.  She was seen foraging and feeding at Lintz Hall Farm near Hamsterley Mill in August 2005 and regularly around Rowlands Gill.  Her wing tags were read on 13th February 2006 when she was perched on a pylon in Rowlands Gill.  Since then, her signal was detected as ‘flying’ near Rowlands Gill. Sadly, a member of the public found her carcass on 12th April 2006 in Spen Banks wood, Rowlands Gill.  There is no evidence to indicate that she died of anything but natural causes.

Current Location:

Deceased

Name:

Blaze

Wing Tag:

30

Adopted by:

St. Augustine’s RC Primary School, Gateshead

Male/Female: 

Female

Release Date:

11th July 2005

Key Activities:

For the first month after her release, Blaze spent the majority of her time in the lower Derwent valley.  Her transmitter signal was detected in the lower Derwent valley in mid August but was not heard again until December 2005. She was detected near Bradley Hall, Gateshead in April 2006. She has not been detected since.

Having remained undetected for two years, Blaze was finally recorded in spring 2008. She was detected in Northumberland between Haydon Bridge and Hexham. This has been followed by no detections since.

Current Location:

Unknown

Name:

Emmaville Ruby

Wing Tag:

31

Adopted by:

Emmaville Community Primary School, Gateshead

Male/Female: 

Female

Release Date:

11th July 2005

Key Activities:

For the first few months after release, WT31 spent the majority of her time in the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn.  She was seen foraging and feeding at Lintz Hall Farm near Hamsterley Mill in August 2005, and also flying with buzzards.  She was detected on 21st November 2005. However, a photograph taken by a local bird watcher identified her in Gateshead on 13th November 2006. Her transmitter may be faulty. She was last detected in Gateshead on 17th December 2006.

Current Location:

Unknown

Name:

Red Arrow

Wing Tag:

32

Adopted by:

St. Joseph’s RC Primary School, Gateshead

Male/Female: 

Female

Release Date:

11th July 2005

Key Activities:

Since release, Red Arrow has spent the majority of her time in the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn.  Her preferred roosts have varied between Barlow, Sherburn Tower Farm at Rowlands Gill and Gibside.  She has been seen foraging and feeding in Barlow Burn and at the Burnhills SITA landfill site with several other kites.

In early spring 2007, Red Arrow spent time with WT51. Since then she was seen displaying with WT81, they set up a territory but did not nest.

Red Arrow was last detected in Gateshead on 26th November 2007.

In spring 2008, Red Arrow was seen displaying with WT76 (Chester) in the Derwent valley. They built a nest together but unfortunately at a very early stage their chicks were predated upon by a carrion crow.

On 8th September 2008, Red Arrow was seen near Thornley Woodlands Centre in Rowlands Gill, Gateshead.

Current Location:

Gateshead

Name:

Storm

Wing Tag:

33

Adopted by:

Colegate Community Primary School, Gateshead

Male/Female: 

Female

Release Date:

11th July 2005

Key Activities:

Since release, Storm has spent the majority of her time in the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn.  Her preferred roosts have varied between Barlow, Sherburn Tower Farm at Rowlands Gill and Gibside. She was seen regularly foraging and feeding in Barlow Burn until 11th May 2006. 

She was not detected in Gateshead again until the 17th December 2006. On 11th February 2007 she was recorded at Gigrin Farm, the kite feeding station in Wales. Just a few weeks later on 7th March 2007 she was back in Gateshead!

She is regularly seen between Chopwell Wood and Dipton. She spent a lot of time with WT63 in spring 2007, they were seen carrying sticks but did not build a nest. During the winter months Storm has regularly been roosting near Sherburn Towers housing estate in Rowlands Gill and also at Gibside.

In spring 2008, Storm was seen displaying with WT79 (Mulberry) in the Derwent valley. They built a nest together and have successfully raised two chicks. The chicks have been fitted with leg rings and wing tags C1 and C2 respectively. Both chicks fledged in July 2008.

Current Location:

Unknown

Name:

Parochial Poppy

Wing Tag:

34

Adopted by:

Whickham Parochial Primary School, Gateshead

Male/Female: 

Female

Release Date:

11th July 2005

Key Activities:

Since release, Paraochial Poppy has spent the majority of her time in the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn.  Her preferred roosts have varied between Barlow, Sherburn Tower Farm at Rowlands Gill and Gibside. She was seen regularly foraging and feeding in Barlow Burn until mid June.  She was detected on 14th June 2006. However, a report from Gigrin Farm, the kite feeding station in Wales, places Parochial Poppy at the feeding station on 23rd October 2006. On 19th March 2007 she was detected back in Gateshead.

Parochial Poppy was seen building a nest with WT80 (Sky Diver) in the spring, however, they did not breed successfully.

Parochial Poppy remained in Gateshead until June 2007. By September 2007, she was back at Gigrin Farm in Wales.

By spring 2008 Parochial Poppy was back in Gateshead! On 25th March she was recorded with WT80 in the Barlow Burn area.

In Spring 2008, Parochial Poppy paired up again with WT80 (Sky Diver). They built a nest together but did not successfully raise any chicks.

Current Location:

Unknown

Name:

Sky

Wing Tag:

35

Adopted by:

St. Alban’s RC Primary School, Gateshead

Male/Female: 

Female

Release Date:

11th July 2005

Key Activities:

Since release, Sky has spent the majority of her time in the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn.  Her preferred roosts have varied between Barlow, Sherburn Tower Farm at Rowlands Gill and Gibside and since then was seen regularly foraging and feeding in Barlow Burn and the Lower Derwent Valley.  She was detected in May 2006 in Gateshead and returned on 30th November 2006. She has not been detected since.

Current Location:

Unknown

Name:

Fire Flight

Wing Tag:

36

Adopted by:

Clover Hill Community Primary School, Gateshead

Male/Female: 

Male

Release Date:

16th July 2005

Key Activities:

Since release, WT31 has spent the majority of his time in the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn.  He was seen foraging and feeding at Lintz Hall Farm near Hamsterley Mill in August 2005 and again in March 2006.  His preferred roosts have varied between Barlow and Sherburn Tower Farm at Rowlands Gill. In April 2006, he was regularly seen displaying with WT28 at Hamsterley Hall in the lower Derwent valley where they set up a territory but did not nest.

Fire Flight continued to spend time with WT28 (Agnes) and in spring 2007 they again set up a territory. However, this time they built a nest together and have successfully raised one chick! The chick has been fitted with a leg ring and wing tags A6. The chick fledged late July 2007.

Fire Flight and Agnes have bred successfully in Gateshead for a second consecutive year. They have raised two chicks, one of which has been fitted with a leg ring and wing tags C0. The chicks fledged July 2008.

Current Location:

Unknown

Name:

Spirit

Wing Tag:

37

Adopted by:

Farne Primary School, Newcastle

Male/Female: 

Male

Release Date:

13th July 2005

Key Activities:

Since release, WT31 has spent the majority of his time in the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn.  He was seen foraging and feeding at Lintz Hall Farm near Hamsterley Mill in August 2005 and again in March 2006.  His preferred roosts have varied between Barlow and Sherburn Tower Farm at Rowlands Gill. In December 2006, Spirit's transmitter signal did not change for a period of time indicating problems. Following further investigation, his corpse was found in Barlow Burn. There is no evidence to indicate death was due to anything but natural causes.

Current Location:

Deceased

Name:

Harlow Harrier

Wing Tag:

38

Adopted by:

Harlow Green Infants School, Gateshead

Male/Female: 

Female

Release Date:

13th July 2005

Key Activities:

Since release, Harlow Harrier has spent the majority of her time in the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn.  Her preferred roosts have varied between Barlow and Sherburn Tower Farm at Rowlands Gill.  She was regularly seen foraging and feeding in the Barlow Burn and lower Derwent valley until 10th May 2006 when she arrived in Teesdale to join the resident kites. During October and November 2006 Harlow Harrier travelled back and forth between Teesdale and Gateshead. Since January 2007, she has been regularly detected near Rowlands Gill.

In the spring Harlow Harrier set up a territory with WT56 (Burnside Red Arrow).  They built a nest and have successfully raised two chicks!  The chicks have been fitted with leg rings and wing tags B1 and B0 respectively.  B0 fledged mid-July 2007, however, sibling B1 had to be taken into rehabilitation after being found soaked through and underweight at the bottom of the nest tree.  Following several weeks in rehab B1 was released back into the Derwent valley in late-July, after being fitted with a radio transmitter.

Harlow Harrier is regularly recorded with Burnside Red Arrow in the Barlow area of Gateshead.

In spring 2008, Harlow Harrier and WT56 paired up again and successfully raised two chicks. The chicks have been fitted with leg rings and wing tags B4 and B5 respectively. Both chicks fledged mid-July 2008, however, not long after fledging B5 was predated upon most likely a fox.

Current Location:

Unknown

Name:

Sparkle

Wing Tag:

39

Adopted by:

High Spen Community Primary School, Gateshead

Male/Female: 

Female

Release Date:

13th July 2005

Key Activities:

Since release, Sparkle has spent the majority of her time in the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn.  Her preferred roosts have varied between Barlow, Sherburn Tower Farm at Rowlands Gill and Gibside. She was regularly seen foraging and feeding in Barlow Burn and the lower Derwent valley until March 2006.  She was detected in April. On 28th November 2006 she was detected once again in Gateshead. She has not been detected since.

Current Location:

Unknown

Name:

Ziggy

Wing Tag:

40

Adopted by:

Emmanuel College, Gateshead

Male/Female: 

Female

Release Date:

13th July 2005

Key Activities:

Since release, Ziggy has spent most of the time in the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn.  Preferred roosts have varied between Barlow, Sherburn Tower Farm at Rowlands Gill and Gibside.  Ziggy has been regularly seen foraging and feeding in Barlow Burn and Lower Derwent Valley.

Ziggy was recorded with WT24 (a female) in early spring, however WT24 has since bred successfully with WT59. Then Ziggy was seen with WT43 and WT89 (both female). As Ziggy has only been recorded roosting with various females, but has not set up a territory with any of them, the sex of Ziggy still remains a mystery!

Ziggy remains in Gateshead and during the winter months has regularly been roosting near Sherburn Towers housing estate in Rowlands Gill.

The sex of Ziggy has remained a mystery since the kite was released back in 2005. However, the mystery has finally been solved - Ziggy is female! In spring 2008, Ziggy was seen displaying with WT74 (Jammy Dodger) in the Derwent valley. They built a nest together and Ziggy laid several eggs, unfortunately these did not hatch.

On 15th September 2008, Ziggy was seen roosting with at least eight other kites near Sherburn Towers housing estate in Rowlands Gill, Gateshead.

Current Location:

Lower Derwent Valley, Gateshead

Name:

Rusty

Wing Tag:

41

Adopted by:

Westerhope Primary School, Newcastle Upon Tyne

Male/Female: 

Male

Release Date:

13th July 2005

Key Activities:

Since release, Rusty has spent the majority of his time in the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn.  He was seen foraging and feeding at Lintz Hall Farm near Hamsterley Mill in August 2005.  His preferred roosts have varied between Barlow and Sherburn Tower Farm at Rowlands Gill. Rusty explored elsewhere during the summer of 2006 venturing between the kites in Teesdale and Gateshead.  He was last detected in Teesdale on 14th August 2006.

On 26th November 2007, having not been recorded for over a year, Rusty was detected near Beamish in County Durham!

This has been followed by no detections since.

Current Location:

Unknown

Name:

Thunderbird

Wing Tag:

42

Adopted by:

Burnopfield Primary School, Durham

Male/Female: 

Male

Release Date:

13th July 2005

Key Activities:

Since release, Thunderbird has spent the majority of his time in the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn.  His preferred roosts have varied between Barlow and Sherburn Tower Farm at Rowlands Gill.  He has been seen foraging and feeding in Barlow Burn and at the Burnhills SITA landfill site with several other kites. During May 2006 he was frequently recorded around the Gibside estate. He is still seen regularly around the Rowlands Gill area.

Thunderbird and WT54 (Fantastic Flying Fiona) were seen inspecting an old crows nest in early spring. They set up a territory and WT54 was first noted incubating during April 2007, however the nest was abandoned in early May.

Thunderbird remains in Gateshead and during the winter months has regularly been detected at the Gibside winter roost.

In spring 2008 Thunderbird and WT54 paired up again, however, they did not successfully raise any chicks.

Current Location:

Unknown

Name:

Swift

Wing Tag:

43

Adopted by:

Whitemere Community Primary School, Gateshead

Male/Female: 

Female

Release Date:

16th July 2005

Key Activities:

Since release, Swift has spent the majority of her time in the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn.  She was seen foraging and feeding at Lintz Hall Farm near Hamsterley Mill in August 2005 and again in March 2006.  Her preferred roosts have varied between Barlow and Sherburn Tower Farm at Rowlands Gill.  Swift has been regularly seen foraging and feeding in Barlow Burn and lower Derwent valley.

She was recorded roosting with WT40 and WT89 during the spring of 2007.

Swift remains in Gateshead.

In spring 2008, Swift was seen displaying with WTA7 in the lower Derwent valley, though they did not nest together. It is believed that Swift paired up with another kite and managed to raise two chicks as she was seen in late July 2008 with two juveniles!

Current Location:

Unknown

Name:

Morgan

Wing Tag:

44

Adopted by:

Ryton Comprehensive School, Gateshead

Male/Female: 

Female

Release Date:

16th July 2005

Key Activities:

Since release, Morgan has spent the majority of her time in the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn.  Her preferred roosts have varied between Barlow, Sherburn Tower Farm at Rowlands Gill and Gibside.  In February 2006, Morgan was detected at Tanfield Lea near Stanley, and has been regularly seen foraging and feeding in Barlow Burn and Lower Derwent Valley. In August and September 2006, Morgan was seen in the Simonside Hills in Northumberland but continued to return to Gateshead.

In spring 2007, Morgan and WT53 (Winlaton Blaze) were regularly seen together. They set up a territory in the Derwent valley and have successfully raised two chicks! The chicks have been fitted with leg rings and wing tags A0 and A1 respectively. The chicks fledged in July 2007.

In spring 2008 Morgan and WT53 paired up again, however, they did not successfully raise any chicks.

Current Location:

Unknown

Name:

Golden Rainbow

Wing Tag:

45

Adopted by:

St. Oswald’s RC Primary School, Gateshead

Male/Female: 

Female

Release Date:

16th July 2005

Key Activities:

Since release, Golden Rainbow has spent the majority of her time in the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn.  She was seen foraging and feeding at Lintz Hall Farm near Hamsterley Mill in August 2005.  Her preferred roosts have varied between Barlow and Sherburn Tower Farm at Rowlands Gill. She has been regularly seen foraging and feeding in Barlow Burn and lower Derwent valley. On 17th June 2006, she was detected in Dorchester in Dorset where she stayed for several weeks before returning to Gateshead on 26th July. She was not detected again until April 2007, when a visual sighting confirmed she was in East Yorkshire.

Golden Rainbow paired up with a kite in east Yorkshire, they set up a territory though did not breed successfully.

By early 2008, Golden Rainbow was back in Gateshead. On the 24th February she was recorded near Sherburn Towers housing estate in Rowlands Gill. This has been followed by no sightings since.

Current Location:

Unknown

Name:

Super Newker Ruby

Wing Tag:

46

Adopted by:

Newker Primary School, Durham

Male/Female: 

Female

Release Date:

19th July 2005

Key Activities:

Since release, WT46 has spent the majority of her time in the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn.  She was seen foraging and feeding at Lintz Hall Farm near Hamsterley Mill in August 2005.  Her preferred roosts have varied between Barlow and Sherburn Tower Farm at Rowlands Gill. She was seen regularly foraging and feeding in Barlow Burn and the lower Derwent valley until June.  She has not been detected since 2nd June 2006.

Current Location:

Unknown

Name:

Pippin

Wing Tag:

47

Adopted by:

Glynwood Primary School, Gateshead

Male/Female: 

Female

Release Date:

19th July 2005

Key Activities:

On the day of release, WT47 landed in the shallow water of Far Pasture pond in the Derwent Walk Country Park, after coming down to investigate a squabble between a mallard and a coot!  WT47 soon flew off.  Since her release, she has been regularly seen foraging and roosting in the Lower Derwent Valley.  She has also been noted at Rainton Meadows in September 2005 and Springwell, east of Birtley in November 2005.  Her preferred roost has varied between Gibside and Sherburn Tower Farm in Rowlands Gill. During May, she explored the Chester le Street area and was regularly seen in the Team Valley. She has not been detected since 1st June 2006. In August and October 2006, Pippin was detected with the kites in Teesdale. She travelled further south in late October and spent time near Barningham where she was last detected in early December 2006. She was not detected again until late February 2007 when she was recorded back in Gateshead.

On 30 April 2007, Pippin was seen in Wharfdale, Yorkshire and was thought to be nesting in the area. However, by mid-May she was detected near Wolsingham in Weardale, County Durham!

By the beginnig of August, Pippin had made her way to Langleydale in Teesdale and was seen trying to 'woo' the breeding male! She followed him through the wood, they were seen weaving in and out of the trees below the canopy.

This has been followed by no detections since.

Current Location:

Unknown

Name:

Nightfire

Wing Tag:

48

Adopted by:

Frosterley Community Primary School, Durham

Male/Female: 

Male

Release Date:

19th July 2005

Key Activities:

Since release, Nightfire has spent the majority of his time in the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn.  He was seen foraging and feeding at Lintz Hall Farm near Hamsterley Mill in August 2005 and again in March 2006. His preferred roost was at Sherburn Tower Farm at Rowlands Gill and has been regularly seen foraging and feeding in Barlow Burn and the lower Derwent valley, until he left the Derwent Valley in early May.  He arrived in Teesdale on 9th May to join the resident kites there. He has not been detected since 9th June 2006 when he was in Teesdale.

Having not been recorded for almost two years, Nightfire was finally seen on 27th June 2008. He was feeding on a hay crop with WT22 and several other kites at Beda Hills in Gateshead.

This has been followed by no detections since.

Current Location:

Unknown

Name:

High Flier

Wing Tag:

49

Adopted by:

Heddon St. Andrew’s C of E Primary School, Gateshead

Male/Female: 

Female

Release Date:

19th July 2005

Key Activities:

For the first month after release, High Flier spent the majority of her time in the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn.  She was last detected in the Lower Derwent Valley in September 2005 and has not been noted since.

Current Location:

Unknown

Name:

Valiant

Wing Tag:

50

Adopted by:

Branton County First School, Northumberland

Male/Female: 

Female

Release Date:

21st July 2005

Key Activities:

Since release, Valiant has spent the majority of her time in the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn.  Her preferred roosts have varied between Barlow, Sherburn Tower Farm at Rowlands Gill and Gibside.  She has been seen foraging and feeding in Barlow Burn and the lower Derwent valley. Valiant had not been detected in Gatehead since July 2006.

However, she was photographed in a roost in Monzie, central Scotland on 5th February 2007. Valiant was not seen again until early May 2008 when a report confirmed she was at Crieff in Central Scotland.

On 14th October 2008, Valiant was recorded at the red kite winter roost in Comrie, Perthshire in Scotland.

Current Location:

Central Scotland

Name:

Burning Wings

Wing Tag:

51

Adopted by:

Stocksfield Avenue Primary School, Newcastle

Male/Female: 

Male

Release Date:

21st July 2005

Key Activities:

Since release, WT51 has spent the majority of his time in the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn.  His preferred roosts have varied between Barlow, Sherburn Tower Farm at Rowlands Gill and Gibside.  He has been seen foraging and feeding in Barlow Burn and the lower Derwent valley.

Having initally spent time with WT32 in early spring, Burning Wings finally paired up with WT21 (Winlaton Phoenix). The pair successfully raised one chick, the first red kite chick to be raised in Northumberland for over 170 years! This chick has been fitted with a leg ring and wing tags A5. The chick fledged late July 2007.

On 19th January 2008, Burning Wings was seen flying with WTA5 above Sherburn Towers housing estate in Rowlands Gill.

On 11th February 2008, Burning Wings was seen with five other kites (including mate WT21 and juvenile WTA5) feeding in a field and perching on fence posts just north of the Barlow Burn.

In spring 2008 Burning Wings and mate WT21 were seen displaying together, though they are not known to have nested.

On 22nd September 2008, Burning Wings was seen roosting with seventeen other kites near Sherburn Towers housing estate in Rowlands Gill, Gateshead.

Current Location:

Gateshead

Name:

Coco Carrion

Wing Tag:

52

Adopted by:

Preston Grange Primary School, North Tyneside

Male/Female: 

Female

Release Date:

21st July 2005

Key Activities:

Since release, Coco Carrion has spent the majority of her time in the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn.  Her preferred roosts have varied between Barlow, Sherburn Tower Farm at Rowlands Gill and Gibside.  She has been seen foraging and feeding in Barlow Burn and the lower Derwent valley. Coco Carrion was last detected in Gateshead on August 21st 2006. She has since been exploring other areas.

Current Location:

Unknown

Name:

Winlaton Blaze

Wing Tag:

53

Adopted by:

Parkhead Community Primary School, Gateshead

Male/Female: 

Male

Release Date:

21st July 2005

Key Activities:

Since release, Winlaton Blaze has spent the majority of his time in the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn.  His preferred roosts have varied between Barlow, Sherburn Tower Farm at Rowlands Gill and Gibside.  He has been seen foraging and feeding in Barlow Burn and the lower Derwent valley.

In the spring, Winlaton Blaze and WT44 (Morgan) were regularly seen together. They set up a territory and have successfully raised two chicks! The chicks have been fitted with leg rings and wing tags A0 and A1 respectively. The chicks fledged in July 2007.

In spring 2008 Winlaton Blaze and WT44 paired up again, however, they did not successfully raise any chicks on this occasion.

Current Location:

Unknown

Name:

Fantastic Flying Fiona

Wing Tag:

54

Adopted by:

Wark C of E First School, Northumberland

Male/Female: 

Female

Release Date:

21st July 2005

Key Activities:

Since release, Fantastic Flying Fiona has spent the majority of her time in the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn.  Her preferred roosts have varied between Barlow, Sherburn Tower Farm at Rowlands Gill and Gibside.  She has been seen foraging and feeding in Barlow Burn and the lower Derwent valley. In April 2006, she was seen mating with WT3 in the Lower Derwent Valley where they set up a territory but did not nest. She summered in Gateshead but has not been detected since August 2006. However, in late November she returned and has been detected in Gateshead regularly over the last few months.

Fantastic Flying Fiona and WT42 (Thunderbird) were seen inspecting an old crows nest in early spring. They set up a territory and Fantastic Flying Fiona was first noted incubating during April 2007, however the nest was abandoned in early May.

Fantastic Flying Fiona has not been detected since early May 2007, however, her transmitter is no longer working so she can only be idenntifed by a visual sighting.

One such sighting places Fantastic Flying Fiona at Sherburn Tower Farm in Rowlands Gill, Gateshead, on 15 October 2007.

She was then seen at Cut Thorn Farm near Gibside on 26th November 2007. This has been followed by no sightings since.

From early February 2008 Fantastic Flying Fiona has regularly been seen in the lower Derwent valley.

In spring 2008 Fantastic Flying Fiona and WT42 paired up again, however, they did not successfully raise any chicks.

Current Location:

Unknown

Name:

Harrowgate Lightning

Wing Tag:

55

Adopted by:

Harrowgate Hill Primary School, Darlington

Male/Female: 

Female

Release Date:

21st July 2005

Key Activities:

Since release, Harrowgate Lightning has spent the majority of her time in the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn.  Her preferred roosts have varied between Barlow, Sherburn Tower Farm at Rowlands Gill and Gibside. She was seen foraging and feeding in Barlow Burn and the lower Derwent valley until May. She has not been detected since 10th May 2006.

Current Location:

Unknown

Name:

Burnside Red Arrow

Wing Tag:

56

Adopted by:

Burnside First School, Northumberland

Male/Female: 

Male

Release Date:

21st July 2005

Key Activities:

Since release, Burnside Red Arrow has spent the majority of his time in the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn.  His preferred roosts have varied between Barlow, Sherburn Tower Farm at Rowlands Gill and Gibside. He was seen regularly foraging and feeding in Barlow Burn and the lower Derwent valley until mid May when he explored the Woolsingham area and near Lanchester.  He returned to Gateshead on 17th May. He was last detected in Gateshead on 20th July. However, in late November he returned and has been detected in Gateshead regularly over the last few months.

In spring 2007, Burnside Red Arrow set up a territory with WT38 (Harlow Harrier. They built a nest and have successfully raised two chicks! The chicks have been fitted with leg rings and wing tags B1 and B0 respectively. B0 fledged mid-July 2007, however, sibling B1 had to be taken into rehabilitation after being found soaked through and underweight at the bottom of the nest tree. Following several weeks in rehab B1 was released back into the Derwent valley in late-July, after being fitted with a radio transmitter.

Burnside Red Arrow is regularly recorded with Harlow Harrier in the Barlow area of Gateshead.

In spring 2008, Burnside Red Arrow and WT38 paired up again and successfully raised two chicks. The chicks have been fitted with leg rings and wing tags B4 and B5 respectively. Both chicks fledged mid-July 2008, however, not long after fledging B5 was predated upon by most likely a fox.

Current Location:

Unknown

Name:

Langleydale Traveller

Wing Tag:

57

Adopted by:

Woodland Primary School, Durham

Male/Female: 

Female

Release Date:

21st July 2005

Key Activities:

For the first month after release, Langleydale Traveller stayed around the Lower Derwent Valley.  In September 2005, she was detected foraging near Frosterley in Weardale and arrived in Teesdale, joining WT5 (a male) and WT23 (a female) in October 2005.  All three kites have remained in this area flying and foraging between woodland near Eggleston and near Kinninvie. She has since been identified paired with WT5! The pair successfully raised two chicks that fledged in late July 2006.

Sadly Phoenix (WT5) was fatally injured in an accident in May 2007.  However, Langleydale Traveller has since paired up with a pale coloured kite that has been in the Teesdale area for a while.  They have successfully raised a chick that fledged in late July.  The chick was fitted with a leg ring and wing tags A7.

Langleydale Traveller is regularly detected in the Eggleston area of Teesdale. On 7th January 2008, she was seen flying over Folly Top, Eggleston.

In spring 2008 Langleydale Traveller bred successfully with her new mate for a second consecutive year. They raised one chick that fledged in July 2008.

Current Location:

Unknown

Name:

Redwenna

Wing Tag:

58

Adopted by:

St. Godric’s RCVA Primary School, Gateshead

Male/Female: 

Female

Release Date:

23rd July 2005

Key Activities:

Since release, Redwenna has spent the majority of her time in the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn.  Her preferred roosts have varied between Barlow, Sherburn Tower Farm at Rowlands Gill and Gibside. She was regularly seen foraging and feeding in Barlow Burn and the lower Derwent valley until March.  She has not been detected since 24th March 2006.

On 17th July 2007, a faint signal was picked up for Redwenna in the Derwent Valley, Gateshead. This has been followed by no detections since.

Current Location:

Unknown

Name:

Crookhill Blaze

Wing Tag:

59

Adopted by:

Crookhill Primary School, Gateshead

Male/Female: 

Male

Release Date:

5th August 2005

Key Activities:

Since release, WT59 has spent the majority of his time in the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn.  His preferred roosts have varied between Barlow, Sherburn Tower Farm at Rowlands Gill and Gibside.  He has been seen foraging and feeding in Barlow Burn and the lower Derwent valley.

In February 2007 Crookhill Blaze had been detected several times near Wylam in the Tyne Valley, on one occasion with WT21, as well as at his usual haunts around Barlow.

Crookhill Blaze has paired up with WT24 (Starfire). The pair are known to have successfully raised one chick that fledged earlier than expected at the beginning of July. The chick left the nest before any wing tags were fitted making it a truly wild kite. Reports of a family party of kites consisting of two adults and two juveniles were received in early July. This was in the territory of Crookhill Blaze & Starfire, prompting suspicions that they managed to raise two chicks!

During the winter months Crookhill Blaze has regularly been roosting near Sherburn Towers housing estate in Rowlands Gill.

It is unconfirmed if Crookhill Blaze and WT24 bred in 2008. However, an unconfirmed pair have raised two chicks in the Rowlands Gill area, one of these chicks has been fitted with a leg ring and wing tags B2. It is suspected that Crookhill Blaze and WT24 are the parents.

Current Location:

Unknown

Name:

Welbeck Whistler

Wing Tag:

60

Adopted by:

Welbeck Community First School, Gateshead

Male/Female: 

Female

Release Date:

5th August 2005

Key Activities:

Since release, Welbeck Whistler has spent the majority of her time in the lower Derwent valley and Barlow Burn.  Her preferred roosts have varied between Barlow, Sherburn Tower Farm at Rowlands Gill and Gibside.  She has been seen foraging and feeding in Barlow Burn and the lower Derwent valley.

In early spring 2007, Welbeck Whister was seen carrying sticks with WT42. However, WT42 eventually paired up with WT54. Welbeck Whistler is still regularly seen in the Gateshead area, often around Barlow Burn.

During the winter months Welbeck Whistler has regularly been roosting near Sherburn Towers housing estate in Rowlands Gill and also at Gibside.

In Spring 2008, Welbeck Whistler was seen displaying with WT77 (Broady Whipper) in the Derwent valley. They built a nest together but did not successfully raise any chicks.

On 8th September 2008, Red Arrow was seen near Thornley Woodlands Centre in Rowlands Gill, Gateshead.

Current Location:

Lower Derwent Valley, Gateshead

Name:

Cedars Cyclone

Wing Tag:

78

Adopted by:

The Cedars School, Gateshead

Male/Female: 

Female

Release Date:

5th August 2005

Key Activities:

Cedars Cyclone originally fledged naturally from her nest in the Chilterns in July 2005.  Unfortunately, she was found within a few days on the ground, underweight and requiring rehabilitation (it was thought she had been mobbed by crows and was brought down to the ground).  She was transferred to the Northern Kites Project, but soon after her release to the wild in August was brought back into captivity.  Over a period of month’s, attempts were made to exercise her to help build up her flight muscles.  She flew off for a week of freedom in February 2006 but was soon back in captivity.  Unfortunately, during her exercise in late May 2006, she was mobbed by crows once again, grounding her and eventually killing her.  Sadly, this is nature's way of birds defending territories and filtering out the weak so the strongest survive.

Current Location:

Deceased