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Wing Tags

In order to monitor the movements and survival rates of Red Kites in the reintroduction areas, all released, and many wild-fledged, birds are fitted with plastic wing-tags so that they can be identified. This is possible with binoculars, a spotting scope, or a telephoto lens camera.

The colour of the tag on the left wing indicates the area of origin or release. The colour of the tag on the right wing indicates the year of fledging or release.
 
Chilterns
 
Midlands
 
Yorkshire
 
Northern
 
Wales
 
Galloway
 
C. Scotland
 
Black Isle
 
Eire
 
Aberdeen
 
1998
 
1999
 
2000
 
2001
 
2002
 
2003
 
2004
 
2005
 
2006
 
2007
 
2008

The wingtags normally fall off after four or five years. Occaisionally they remain for longer and the bird on the right was tagged in 1998 and can still be seen with one tag remaining after 9 years.

 
 


Wingtags Fitted to a Chick