Back from the brink

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Red Kites (large birds of prey, generally scavengers) were once very common in the UK, but in the 18th and 19th centuries they were persecuted until only a few remained. In the 1980s and 90s keen bird watchers would travel to remote parts of Wales to catch a glimpse. Then from the 1990s conservation work and reintroduction projects gave them a boost and they have made an astonishing comeback, with numbers increasing almost 2,500% over 30 years. It’s now common to see them soaring over residential streets and urban roads. When I was a child it was common to see a farmer ploughing a field followed by a flock of seagulls, but nowadays gull populations are red-rated as of conservation concern. Meanwhile we were surprised on a walk the other day to see a farmer mowing grass with five red kites following the tractor! Funny how things change. Now the gulls need help. All rights reserved. © Text copyright Fleur 2026.