Red kite returns to Ulster

The red kite is one of the most magnificent birds of prey and it is good to hear about the reintroduction of the red kite to Ulster.  Four pairs of the birds have successfully bred five chicks, the first of the birds to be born here for more than 200 years.

This is the result of a very carefully managed programme involving environmentalists, public and private bodies, and farmers.  All of them deserve our thanks for their efforts.

The red kite survived longer in Scotland but became extinct in 1886.  It was reintroduced in 1989-1992 and now there are more than 130 pairs.