Final red kites released

A project aimed at re-introducing red kites back into the wild has released its final five birds in the Derwent Valley. The birds were raised in secret pens at the Lockhaugh sewage works near Rowlands Gill. In total, 94 birds have now been released from the site.

Over a century ago the bird of prey was a common sight in the North East but became extinct because of changes in farming practices, loss of natural habitat and extermination by gamekeepers.

Some of the previously released birds are known to be breeding in the Derwent Valley.