Red kite eggs expected to hatch within days

ATTEMPTS to reintroduce a rare bird of prey into Ireland have received a welcome boost with the news that the first successful breeding of red kites is expected to take place this week.

Environment Minister John Gormley announced yesterday that a female red kite is incubating a clutch of three eggs, which are expected to hatch within a few days, in a nest in Co Wicklow.

It comes after the project to reintroduce rare birds of prey in Ireland suffered a major setback last week with the death of two white-tailed eagles in Co Kerry from poisoning.