THE second phase of an ambitious three-year project to reintroduce red kites to the skies around Aberdeen for the first time in more than a century got under way yesterday.
The birds have not nested in the north-east of Scotland since they were persecuted to extinction in the late 19th century.
But yesterday, at a secret site on the outskirts of the city, Aberdeen's lord provost, Peter Stephen, and the lady provost,
Sandra Stephen, released six of 35 red kites, gathered from nests around Britain, to mark the start of the latest phase of the reintroduction programme.
Last June, 30 red kite chicks were released on private land on the edge of Aberdeen in the initial phase of the project to recolonise the landscape with the magnificent birds of prey.
Jenny Lennon, the RSPB Scotland's Aberdeen red kite project officer, said: "Last year's birds have been very successful and have been enjoyed by so many people, especially around Echt and Garlogie. This year's chicks are raring to go and join the growing wild population.
"The chicks will be held in specially constructed cages until they are ready to fledge. The birds will also be fitted with wing tags and radio transmitters to track their progress, and it's hoped that the public will report sightings to help monitor their behaviour and wellbeing."
One of the birds released yesterday was named Nicholas in honour of the Granite City's patron saint. Ms Stephen said: "I am a very enthusiastic supporter of wild-bird protection programmes. This three-year project is a great way to reintroduce red kites back into the local area.
"It is an honour to name one of the birds on behalf of the city. I felt Nicholas, after St Nicholas, was a name which means something to Aberdeen."
The red kites project is being supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Aberdeen Greenspace Trust, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and local businesses.
Paul Timms, of SNH, said: "Seeing a red kite in its natural setting is a breathtaking sight and we are delighted that this project is entering its second year.
"The red kite now has a talon-hold in Grampian and it is vital that the releases continue, so that the new population grows and becomes self-sustaining.
"SNH considers that everyone should have the chance to view our magnificent wildlife and this red kite project will help to ensure that more people will be able to do so."
Only one of the 30 chicks released last year is known to have died and one of them was tracked as far afield as the Mull of Galloway.
An RSPB spokesman said: "The UK reintroduction programme started in 1989 with the Black Isle and Chilterns, and the UK population now numbers close to 1,000 pairs with 120 in Scotland."
The full article contains 485 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
