Red Kite, Milvus milvus

Local status: Former rare migrant, now resident breeder
Total records: 7 records prior to 1999

Only two birds were recorded prior to the commencement of the Red Kite reintroduction programme which began in 1989. Red Kites remained rare in our area until 1999 when birds were reintroduced to the Harewood Estate just west of the York area. Since then, birds have olonised the Yorkshire Wolds to the east and kites seen in the York area are undoubtedly wanderers from both populations. Red Kite records prior to the Yorkshire releases are listed.

Records prior to 1999:
1997: Lower Derwent Valley, 6th December. One.
1996: Thornton Ellers, 7th October. Possibly the same as September.
1996: Thorganby, 19th and 23rd September.
1995-6: Wheldrake Ings, 26th November 1995, one, with two seen on 8th December. At least one bird was still present at the end of January 1996.
1992: Castle Howard, 11th October.
1989: Wheldrake Ings, 25th May.
1987: Easingwold, 1st April. Found dead on road.
1973-4: Bishop Wilton area, 15th October 1973 to 19th January 1974.