Red Kite’s Year

Ian Carter worked as an ornithologist for Natural England and its predecessors for over 25 years before taking early retirement. He has a long history of involvement with raptor conservation, including the reintroduction of the Red Kite.Dan Powell is an award-winning wildlife artist and naturalist, whose drawings and paintings have been published in numerous books and journals.

• Foreword by Mark Avery Acknowledgements Introduction The artworksJanuary Winter food; Coping with severe weather FebruaryThe first signs of spring; The pair bond and age of first breeding; Courtship behaviour and calling; Male or female? History in Britain Early history; A decline in fortunes; The road to recovery – Red Kite protection in Wales March Faithfulness to breeding sites; Nest building; Nest spacing and breeding density April Final touches to the nest; Eggs and incubation; Nest decoration; Defence of the nest The Red Kite reintroduction programme Early reintroduction attempts; Planning the restoration to England and Scotland; Collecting young and care in captivity; Release into the wild; Progress so far; Further release projects; The wider benefits of reintroduction; Bringing back the Red Kite – a project officer’s perspective; The future May Care of small chicks; Studies of food in the breeding season; Foraging range and habitat use June The growing brood; Preparations for the first flight July Leaving the nest; Towards independence; Red Kite adoptions; Measuring breeding success Threats and problems Illegal persecution; Accidental poisoning; Egg collecting; Collisions and accidents; Powerlines August Fending for themselves; Plumage differences; The annual moult; A lull in activity September Wanderlust; The Red Kite as a migrant; and The use of new technology To feed or not to feed? Changes in legislation; Red Kite feeding stations; Feeding in gardens October The communal roost; Attendance patterns; The daily routine November The benefits of communal roosting; Social interactions and play at roosts December A wildlife spectacle; and The influence of weather on roosting behaviour World status Northern Europe; Northwest Europe; Central and eastern Europe; Southern Europe; The futureFurther reading Sources of further information Species mentioned in the text Index

… many drawings or watercolors which embellish a very instructive reading for all those who are interested in the ecology and conservation of the Red Kite.