They were driven to extinction by over zealous gamekeepers but now red kites are back in our skies, and by the look of recent counts they are determined to stay. In Gateshead and the Derwent Valley they have raised and fledged 11 chicks. This is an incredible number of young by any standards, especially as other colonies in Scotland and Yorkshire have had a poor breeding season, but considering the circumstances it's truly remarkable. The magnificent birds, which have an impressive wing span of around five feet, are still under threat from illegal poisonings.
Red kites tend to feed on carrion and small mammals and this makes them vulnerable to poisoning, as these are the types of bait used by the individuals who incorrectly believe that birds of prey are a threat to their game birds. One pair of kites have nested near a school and another pair have set up home in a Tesco car park, which shows how our wildlife is adapting to modern life. To celebrate The Royal Mail have brought out a new set of stamps featuring the beautiful birds.
From: BEST OF 2008: Eco-friendy and sustainable shoes