Scottish red kite in Yorkshire odyssey

A RED kite has been logged travelling from its birthplace in the Black Isle in northern Scotland all the way to Yorkshire.

The bird, named Spey by ornithologists, which has been satellite-tagged, has been spending time around Harrogate and Wetherby, the location of the Yorkshire kites re-introduction programme.

The kite began its journey south at the beginning of the month, making his way to Yorkshire via Glasgow, Dumfries and the Forest of Bowland in Lancashire.

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Mike Todd, an RSPB volunteer, has been inputting data from a number of satellite-tagged red kites. He said: "Spey is a well-travelled bird and seems to have found a group of relatives down in Yorkshire.

"He has spent some weeks roosting in a plantation very close to Harewood House, the original Yorkshire kites reintroduction site, and roving around the countryside nearby."

Tim Melling, senior conservation officer in the RSPB's Northern England region, said: "It is not that rare for red kites to wander to reintroduction areas.

"Still, Spey's journey from northern Scotland is particularly impressive because of the sheer distance he has travelled, a single journey of more than 300 miles."

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