Last project kite heads for skies

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Human persecution meant the birds were extinct in the UK by the 19th Century

A successful scheme to reintroduce red kites to the skies above Tyneside has released its final bird.

The Northern Kites project released almost 100 red kites into the lower Derwent Valley in Gateshead between 2004 and 2006.

Staff have been monitoring the birds in the past few years and the project is set to end next month.

A young red kite, believed to have fallen out of its nest in June, was reintroduced to the area on Monday.

Common sight

The bird was rescued by project members after being found by walkers on the woodland floor in Derwent Walk County Park.

It was taken into captivity and reared using the same techniques used during the reintroduction period of the wider scheme.

Northern Kites project manager Keith Bowey said: "The fact that members of the public recognised what this bird was and knew that they had to take action to save it, is a testament to how the public profile and appreciation of the kites amongst the people of the North East has worked not just for the project, but for the kites themselves."

The birds used to be a common sight in the UK, but human persecution meant they were extinct by the 19th Century.