UK Wildlife

Red Kite Recovery from Near Extinction

The red kite was reduced to a tiny population in Wales before one of the most successful British conservation programmes restored it nationwide, now a familiar sight across much of the UK.

Key Facts

Red kite survived in UK only in mid-Wales, reduced to around 10 breeding pairs in the 1930s
Reintroduction to England and Scotland from Spanish and Swedish birds since 1989
UK population now over 10,000 birds across much of Britain
Distinguished by forked tail and rufous plumage visible in distant flight
Secondary poisoning from rodenticides and illegal poisoning still cause mortality

Welfare Considerations

Red kite recovery is one of the greatest British conservation achievements. Supplementary feeding stations in Wales helped the original population through crisis. Secondary poisoning from rodenticides and illegal baiting remains a significant mortality cause.

What You Can Do

Use rodenticides responsibly and only as a last resort to protect red kites from secondary poisoning
Report any suspected illegal raptor poisoning to police and RSPB Investigations
Appreciate red kites as symbols of successful conservation that benefits communities