Sunday 21 June 2009

Success of kites project marked

The success of a scheme to reintroduce a rare bird of prey to the skies of north-east England has been marked.


The Northern Kites Project started in 2004 to bring back red kites after an absence of more than 170 years.


More than 30 organisations have been involved with the project, and in 2008 14 pairs of the birds reared 22 young.


On Saturday, more than 150 people linked to the project came together to form a giant red kite in Gateshead's Baltic Square.


They held printed lightweight plastic tiles above their heads to form a giant mosaic of a red kite, with a wingspan of almost 25m (82ft).


The event aimed to illustrate the cultural impact that the red kites' return has had on the area.
Gateshead Council leader Councillor Mick Henry said: "I well remember the day in 2005 when I was invited to release a young kite into the wild for the first time.


"It was a thrilling experience. Now, barely five years later, everyone can come and enjoy the thrill of watching what must be the North East's greatest and most accessible wildlife spectacle."




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