A Red Kite Tale
On holiday in the late 90s, my family and I made a visit to a working Mid-Wales farm. As we watched from purpose-built hides, a group of magnificent wild birds of prey started to gather in the surrounding trees, eventually descending to pick up scraps of meat from the ground; a flurry of auburn feathers and forked tails. I remember being stunned by the sheer number; I was used to spotting a lone Kestrel or Buzzard but had never seen so many birds of prey at once.
The farm is famed for their supplementary Red Kite feeding, held there daily since advised by the RSPB in 1992 to support efforts to encourage the preservation of the species. The UK Red Kite population had been decimated due to long-term persecution, driven by an incorrect belief that they threatened game birds. Red Kites will hunt small mammals, such as Rabbits, but are mostly scavengers, preferring to take carrion rather than live prey. By the late 1980s numbers were drastically low, and with only a handful of breeding pairs in Wales, the species was nearly extinct in the UK.
But change was in the air. Following a release of several birds in the Chilterns in 1990, efforts by many conservation organisations and committed individuals to support and resettle the species have made the Red Kite reintroduction one of the most successful and renowned conservation stories in the UK. The species now soars in many areas of the British Isles, which is home to an estimated 4,500 breeding pairs. Whereas during my Welsh farm visit we perhaps saw 80 birds, they now welcome up to 500.
We know that memorable interactions for children and young people with our natural world can create lasting connections; vital to the continued conservation of our precious wildlife and habitats. Even though they are now abundant in places, I am still overjoyed to see a Red Kite, perched in a bare branch or hovering over a motorway. When I do, I am often put in mind of that experience at the farm 25 years ago. I had no idea I was witnessing part of such an incredible story.
Red
Kites can now be encountered anywhere in Sussex, with the greatest numbers in
the west of the county. The Sussex breeding population is thought to number
several dozen pairs.
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Comments
I lived in Stokenchurch Bucks in the highest village in the Chiltern Hills where the first introduction of the Kites started. John Paul Getty gave his consent for them to be introduced on his Wormsley Estate. We were able look down our street and see around 30 birds. Magnificent site.
25 Sep 2025 10:49:00
I’m a member of the trust after visiting Rye Harbour which for someone with mobility issues is so well catered for there. I’m lucky enough to live in the Chiltern where I’m even luckier to see Red Kites wheeling and gliding in the sky almost every day. It gladdens my heart immensely and I’m very grateful for any conservation effort
25 Sep 2025 10:57:00
I recently visited the Eden Valley where, I believe, red kites were to be found in the 1990’s.
It seems they have learned to hunt over railway lines for their carrion. I’ve seen one hovering over the centre of Horsham.
25 Sep 2025 10:59:00
We’re in West Sussex near Billingshurst. Two years ago we had a pair of buzzards on our land and one day the first red kite showed up and drove them off, never to be seen again. Now we regularly see 2 or 3 kites at a time at home, and frequently flying near roadside fields when we drive around. The numbersin the county must surely be a lot more than a few dozen pairs
25 Sep 2025 11:32:00
They are on the Beacon at Rottingdean
25 Sep 2025 11:36:00
Many years ago we always used to count the Red Kites going up the M40 around Stokenchurch where the Chiltern Hills end and there is a magnificent vista of Middle England spread out before you. Red Kite numbers were increasing – I think they were released in the Christmas Common area. We sometimes got to nearly 20. They were often flying along the edge of the Hills towards Wales. Wonderful they are.
25 Sep 2025 11:41:00
When we lived in Kampala, Uganda many years ago Red Kites would hover daily above our house; now in Rodmell we are still waiting for them to reach Lewes and the Ouse Valley.
25 Sep 2025 12:08:00
I was interested to read about the success of numbers of red kites im Sussex, but I would like to ask how these numbers affect the other birds in the locality. We live on the edge of the South Downs, and I don’t think we now see so many buzzards as we used to, though a lot. ore red kites. How do these two birds relate to each other? Buzzards seem much shyer and I hope they are not being driven away by their more confident cousins….
25 Sep 2025 12:14:00
Sussex Wildlife Trust:
Regarding the relationship between Buzzards and Red Kites, the simple answer is, we don't really know. There are however many places where both species coexist, seemingly quite successfully.
We have a red kite flying & hovering above us at Eastergate Chichester this Summer. Such a privilege to see it flying around every day
25 Sep 2025 13:21:00
I live in North Wales and next year we will be happy for people to come and view them.
We have had a summer of the young squarking above us as we work in the garden.
What a joy moving here but miss Selsey beach and the marine life.
25 Sep 2025 13:53:00
I too have wonderful memories of first being introduced to red kites at that farm in Wales. It was spectacular seeing them swoop for food on the wing. That feeling never diminishes when I see them hoover over our local fields and on journeys around the country.
25 Sep 2025 14:18:00
A Question please. What impact is the growing population of kites having on buzzard numbers?
25 Sep 2025 14:22:00
Sussex Wildlife Trust:
The simple answer is, we don't really know. There are however many places where both species coexist, seemingly quite successfully.
I found Gigren Farm about 25 years ago, and have been back several times. It is always a thrill to also see these magnificent birds on our journey northwards. I have seen a few locally, but will keep on looking!
25 Sep 2025 14:24:00
A few years ago 2 red kites came to live close by at Hamsey. Since then I have not had any house martins nesting under the roof gutters, nor a pair of swallows that always used to nest in the stable. Only 1 robin, Only 1 pair of blackbirds. No great tits, blue tits. Only a pair of crows, the occasional wood pigeon and magpie.
25 Sep 2025 17:02:00
Sussex Wildlife Trust:
Unfortunately the recovery of Red Kites comes at a time when many of our songbirds are in decline for other reasons. Kites are little threat to small birds, but the decline of insects and loss of habitat (including on the wintering grounds for many migrants species) is having a big impact on many smaller species.
We also visited this Welsh farm some years ago and were thrilled to see the Red Kites! I remember seeing them for the first time above the M40 also, and now we are beginning to see them near our Sussex home. A good news conservation story indeed!
25 Sep 2025 20:00:00
I too remember working near and visiting the Elan Valley in the mid eighties, hoping to see one of our rarest birds of prey – no such luck. I’m here at the moment and they’re everywhere. Little did I know that in my conservation career I’d also see them regularly over my garden in Goring-by-sea. Proof that with the right effort, support and vision we can restore creatures that we have decimated or even wiped out in the UK. Let’s keep going !!
26 Sep 2025 09:34:00
An example of how creatures with once gloomy futures can be brought back to flourishing numbers. Take heart!
26 Sep 2025 11:56:00
A very simple and well presented course and all the better for it. I even managed to score 6 out of 7 taking the quiz. I am certain that would not have happened before your course!
26 Sep 2025 18:56:00
Sussex Wildlife Trust:
Great stuff!
I was on the top of the downs near Goodwood race course in June this year when I was amazed to see a number of kite approaching. They flew directly over me. I counted 15 but did not get them all. I see kite regularly in that area but have never seen such a number together.
29 Sep 2025 12:31:00
A great article and how wonderful that is about a success story. They do seem to love the thermals the M40 produces!
29 Sep 2025 16:13:00
I would like to attend the course please?
03 Oct 2025 23:06:00
Sussex Wildlife Trust:
The Birds of Prey course is a free email course. Please register here
Early summer we went to the cuckmere carpark and walked along to the beach. On our way we saw a red kite circling above slightly forward of us. We live in Horam east sussex and have seen kites on two occasions whilst gardening – we have lived here for 28 yrs.
Good news is yesterday 8/10/25 we had a red kite soaring above us and it was heading towards the recreation ground and of out of sight. I always have binoculars to hand !
08 Oct 2025 12:57:00
Sussex Wildlife Trust:
Wonderful!
They are on the Beacon at Rottingdean
26 Oct 2025 09:52:00
Delighted to see a red kite soaring in the sky on 7.8 November for several minutes over very rural Burwash Weald. I saw one here 5 years ago, another by Firle but loved seeing this bird. We were having ground work done in our garden which may have disturbed small mammals perhaps.
We have lots of Buzzards, a few Kestrel & Sparrowhawks, Tawny Owls & the odd Hobby during late Summer.
Hopefully we will see more. In East Africa black Kites has taken food from my hands
09 Nov 2025 16:07:00
We have just moved to Sompting from Abingdon.. There were lots of red kites, and buzzards as well. Wonderful birds of prey! Look forward to seeing my first one here!
16 Apr 2026 18:07:00