Red Kites And The Law
REMEMBER - The welfare of the bird always comes first.
DISTURBANCE
The red kite is listed Schedule I of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and has full legal protection. It is an offence to intentionally or recklessly disturb nesting kites. Red kites are extremely sensitive to human activity close to the nesting area during the nesting season, and can abandon their nest and chicks at the slightest disturbance.
To attempt any of the above actions is an offence in itself.
Special penalties (fines of up to £5000 for each bird or egg involved and/or imprisonment for up to six months) could be imposed on a person convicted of any of these offences.
PHOTOGRAPHY
The taking of photographs at or near the nests of Red Kites requires a licence from Natural England. Anyone taking photographs in such a situation without a licence, and disturbing the birds in the process, is liable to prosecution and a penalty as described above
Surveying, wing-tagging, ringing, and monitoring of nests is done by experienced fieldworkers under licence from the relevant organisations.
DISTURBANCE
The red kite is listed Schedule I of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and has full legal protection. It is an offence to intentionally or recklessly disturb nesting kites. Red kites are extremely sensitive to human activity close to the nesting area during the nesting season, and can abandon their nest and chicks at the slightest disturbance.
To attempt any of the above actions is an offence in itself.
Special penalties (fines of up to £5000 for each bird or egg involved and/or imprisonment for up to six months) could be imposed on a person convicted of any of these offences.
PHOTOGRAPHY
The taking of photographs at or near the nests of Red Kites requires a licence from Natural England. Anyone taking photographs in such a situation without a licence, and disturbing the birds in the process, is liable to prosecution and a penalty as described above
Surveying, wing-tagging, ringing, and monitoring of nests is done by experienced fieldworkers under licence from the relevant organisations.
