The red kite is a medium-sized bird of prey that can be found across the UK, but it has a particularly strong presence in the county of Buckinghamshire. Estimates indicate there are around 800-1000 breeding pairs of red kites in Buckinghamshire, making it one of the best places in the country to spot these graceful birds of prey. But why exactly has the red kite population thrived in Buckinghamshire compared to other parts of the UK?
The Reintroduction Program
One of the main reasons behind the large red kite population in Buckinghamshire is a successful reintroduction program that took place in the late 20th century. Red kites had been common across Britain up until the 15th century, but persecution and hunting led to them being confined to remote parts of Wales by the 20th century. In 1989, the Joint Nature Conservation Committee launched a national program to reintroduce red kites back into parts of England and Scotland.
Buckinghamshire was selected as one of the key sites for this reintroduction effort. Between 1989 and 1994, 93 young red kites were released across the Chilterns area of Buckinghamshire. These birds came from nests in Spain and Wales. The reintroduction program proved to be a great success. From that initial batch of 93 kites, the population steadily grew as the birds bred and expanded their range across Buckinghamshire and beyond.
Ideal Habitat
Buckinghamshire provides ideal habitat for red kites to thrive. These birds favor open and partially wooded landscapes such as the agricultural areas and woodlands found across Buckinghamshire. The abundance of small villages and farms in the county supplies the kites with plenty of scavenging opportunities. Red kites often scavenge for food around farms, feeding on carrion and waste. The Chiltern Hills also provide excellent nesting spots for the kites, with their woodlands and chalk escarpments dotted with mature trees.
Protection and Supplemental Feeding
Two other factors that have enabled Buckinghamshire’s red kite population to prosper are legal protection and supplemental feeding initiatives. The red kite has been protected by law in Britain since the 1950s. This has made it illegal to harm or kill the birds. In addition, conservation groups have worked to provide supplementary food for red kites at strategically located feeding stations across Buckinghamshire. This extra feeding helps support the kites during their breeding season and through harsh winters when natural food sources may be scarce.
Lack of Natural Predators
Buckinghamshire lacks large predatory birds that would prey on red kites. Species such as golden eagles and goshawks are absent in the county’s habitats. This allows the red kites to thrive without excessive predation pressures keeping their population in check. The only real natural threat to young kites comes from tawny owls and carrion crows, but most red kites are able to fledge successfully.
Breeding Success
The red kites of Buckinghamshire have enjoyed high breeding success rates, which has enabled their population to rapidly expand. Each breeding pair produces 1-3 eggs per clutch. In ideal conditions, they can raise 2-3 chicks successfully. Their nests have relatively low failure rates, likely thanks again to the lack of larger predatory birds that would raid their nests. Plus, there is an abundance of good nesting sites in mature trees found across the county.
Migration and Dispersal
Young red kites will disperse from their parents’ breeding territories at around 2 years old. The kites bred in Buckinghamshire have been able to find space to establish their own breeding territories in surrounding counties. However, some have remained local rather than dispersing farther afield. The Chilterns area is prime red kite habitat, so many birds find they don’t need to roam too far. This concentration of birds remaining nearby explains the dense population in the county.
Dispersal Into Nearby Counties
Data from satellite tagging studies has shown red kites dispersing from Buckinghamshire into the nearby counties of Oxfordshire, Hertfordshire, Berkshire, Northamptonshire and Bedfordshire. Many of these birds have set up new breeding territories in those counties. But a core population continues to thrive within the Chilterns area where they were originally reintroduced in the 1990s.
Population Growth
The original release of 93 red kites into Buckinghamshire grew steadily into a sizable population as the birds successfully bred. By 2006, it was estimated there were around 400 breeding pairs. The most recent national survey in 2019/2020 suggested there are now 800-1000 breeding pairs across the county. From a tiny initial population, this represents a substantial growth in red kite numbers sustained over several decades.
Estimated Population Growth
| Year | Estimated Breeding Pairs in Buckinghamshire |
|---|---|
| 1994 (Year of initial reintroduction) | 10 |
| 2000 | 100 |
| 2006 | 400 |
| 2012 | 550 |
| 2019 | 800-1000 |
Abundant Food Supply
The rolling countryside of Buckinghamshire provides these bird of prey with an abundant food supply to sustain a large population. Red kites are opportunistic hunters and scavengers. Their diet includes small mammals and birds, earthworms, insects, scraps, and carrion. With its farms, fields, and woodlands, Buckinghamshire offers excellent foraging habitat. The kites hunt across grasslands and scan the treetops and hedgerows for prey. They also frequent villages and roads to pick at roadkill and other carrion. The ready availability of food sources across the county supports the high density of red kites.
Typical Food Sources
- Small mammals – mice, voles, rabbits, hedgehogs
- Carrion – roadkill and dead livestock
- Worms and insects
- Small birds
- Reptiles and amphibians
- Chicken scraps and other waste around farms
Adaptability to Human Presence
The red kites of Buckinghamshire have adapted well to breeding and feeding in close proximity to human settlements and activities. Their natural wariness has been overridden by the easy food sources available. They are a common sight in villages and at rubbish dumps scavenging for scraps. This adaptability and tolerance for human presence has enabled their population to thrive even in well-populated areas of Buckinghamshire. The kites have learned that human presence equals food opportunity.
Conservation Efforts
Ongoing conservation efforts by regional wildlife organizations have helped maintain the high red kite population in Buckinghamshire. Education programs teach residents how to provide food safely without encouraging dependency. Nest sites are monitored and protected. Roosting sites are also conserved where possible. And illegal persecution is discouraged through public awareness campaigns. Furthermore, research contributes valuable data to inform continued conservation of this species in the county.
Ecotourism
The red kite population in Buckinghamshire has become a major ecotourism asset for the county. Many visitors come specifically to witness the spectacular sight of these birds of prey soaring over the Chilterns. This generates revenue for local businesses providing accommodation, food, and attractions based on the kites. There is further incentive for communities to protect the future of the red kite population as an economic resource. The kites have become a symbol of wildlife revival in the region.
Conclusion
In summary, the dense population of red kites in Buckinghamshire can be attributed to the success of the reintroduction program in the late 20th century. This provided a founding population that was then able to thrive thanks to ample nesting habitat, abundant food sources, lack of predators, and sustained legal protection. Conservation efforts continue to ensure this population remains stable. And the red kite has become a major ecotourism feature in Buckinghamshire, valued both ecologically and economically. The red kite remains an iconic bird of prey in the UK, and Buckinghamshire represents one of its key strongholds, home to perhaps a quarter of the national population. This thriving population looks set to soar over the Chilterns for years to come.
