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.

The red kite project manager, Damian Clarke, said the discovery of the nest was a huge event for everyone involved in the programme.

“To see a red kite sitting on her nest in a native oak tree was an amazing experience and a real privilege,” said Mr Clarke.

The project to restore the red kite to Ireland after an absence of more than 200 years was initiated in 2007.

The breed was once common and widespread in Ireland, but became extinct in the 18th century due to persecution, poisoning and woodland clearance.

To date, a total of 56 red kites have been imported from Wales and released in Co Wicklow, although two of the birds have already been killed by poisoning in Co Wicklow and in Co Leitrim.

“The red kite project is now a step closer to its goal of establishing a self-sustaining kite population in Wicklow with the discovery of a first breeding attempt,” said Mr Gormley yesterday.

The location of the red kites’ nest has been kept secret due to the fear of attracting poachers and sightseers.

A leading wildlife expert, Dr Alan Mee, recently called for major changes to the laws governing access to poisons after several deaths of other birds of prey being reintroduced to the Republic, including white-tailed eagles in Co Kerry and a golden eagle in Co Donegal.

Mr Gormley expressed concern that all three reintroduction projects had suffered losses due to poisoning with five of the initial 15 white-tailed eagles being poisoned.

“These incidents not only endanger the fulfilment of our commitment to maintain and enhance Ireland’s native wildlife but they also harm our environmental and agricultural reputation at home and abroad,” said the minister.

Mr Gormley said he was disgusted to learn of the recent deaths of the white-tailed eagles near Waterville, Co Kerry, and hoped the culprits would be identified by the Garda investigation into the incident. However, he praised the vast majority of landowners who had been fully supportive of the three wild bird projects in Donegal, Kerry and Wicklow.