RED kites re-introduced to the skies of Cumbria have spread their wings and are making their homes in the county and even further afield.

Wildlife rangers who reared and released the birds in June at Grizedale Forest have been heartened to find that the birds are thriving.

“As far as we can tell the birds are doing very well,” said Iain Yoxall, Forestry Commission wildlife ranger at Grizedale Forest, who managed the reintroduction. The release has gone as expected.

“Although it is still early days in the three-year programme I’m sure it will be a success.

“The public reception to the red kites has been really good and they have shown a lot of positive interest.”

Although initially the birds stayed close to the release site within Grizedale Forest, they soon dispersed in all directions.

As winter approaches many of the red kites have been spotted moving southwards via Oxen Park to Ulverston.

It is believed that many will continue following the coastline of Morecambe Bay and spread into Lancashire.

Other Cumbrian red kites, however, have been spotted heading north. One was sighted near Keswick and another was seen north of the border in the Castle Douglas area.

Mr Yoxall said the dispersal was normal and he called on members of the public and wildlife enthusiasts to help monitor their movements.

“The birds are spreading far and wide, which is normal for juveniles,” he added. “We hope that they will come back to Grizedale when they feel the urge to breed either next year or the following year.

“We are asking members of the public who see the birds to feed back that information to us here at Grizedale because any information is vital to help monitor the birds’ progress which will also help us with future releases.”