{"product_id":"the-red-kite-s-year-9781784272005","title":"The Red Kite’s Year","description":"\u003cb\u003eBook Synopsis\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e'thoroughly recommended'\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e —Country-side magazine\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eThe Red Kite (\u003cem\u003eMilvus milvus\u003c\/em\u003e) – one of our most elegant and impressive birds of prey – has a varied and dramatic history in Britain. Having been driven perilously close to extinction, it has now made a welcome comeback, in part through one of the most successful reintroduction projects ever undertaken. This beautifully illustrated book follows the birds through the ups and downs of the year, from the rigours of raising young during the warm summer months to the struggle for survival in the depths of winter.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eInterspersed with the monthly accounts, are chapters on the history of the Red Kite in Britain, the reintroduction programme, the threats it still faces, and its status elsewhere in Europe. Red Kite biology is explored from nest construction, egg laying and nest defence, through to juveniles leaving the nest and learning to live independently. The book concludes with an overview of Red Kite status throughout their range.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eWith a foreword by Mark Avery.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eTrade Review\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e… many drawings or watercolors which embellish a very instructive reading for all those who are interested in the ecology and conservation of the Red Kite.\u003c\/p\u003e -- Jean Marc Thiollay * Ornithos *\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eTwo fine naturalists giving a new slant on an ongoing story through very good fieldwork. A thoroughly recommended book of an outstanding natural history success story.\u003c\/p\u003e -- Steve Rutherford * Country-side magazine (British Naturalists' Association) *\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhile not a detailed scientific appraisal of the reintroduction of the Red Kite, this book does provide a very readable account of one of the most successful conservation projects ever attempted in the UK. It is highly recommended for all aficionados of this charismatic raptor, which is now well established in many areas of the UK and hopefully will soon become a regular sight throughout these islands.\u003c\/p\u003e -- John Clark * British Birds *\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eWe learn in this book how the species was protected in the 15th century because of its role as a street cleaner. .... As a result of the sanitation of urban areas, the possibilities of finding food decreased and persecution increased. The downward spiral began in the 1700s. At the end of the 19th century, only a few couples remained in a remote part of Wales. The numbers reached their lowest level in the 1930s but, since the species has been protected, a (very) slow recovery has started. The reintroduction program, to which Ian Carter collaborated personally, was organized in several parts of England, in Scotland and Ireland.\u003c\/p\u003e -- Walter Belis * Alauda *\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eImmediately I picked up The Red Kite’s Year I was smitten. Written around the yearly cycle of survival, mating and nest selection, habitat interaction, food, growth and dispersal, it also covers history, documented fieldwork and personal experiences. Ian Carter’s text is wonderfully illustrated by Dan Powell, whose lively line escapes the pages and makes one want to rush to spot one of these impressive creatures. A book for the enthusiast, The Red Kite’s Year is certainly recommended.\u003c\/p\u003e -- Barry Larking * ECOS *\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eTable of Contents\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eForeword by Mark Avery \u003cbr\u003e Acknowledgements \u003cbr\u003e Introduction \u003cbr\u003e      The artworks\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJanuary\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003e Winter food; Coping with severe weather \u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eFebruary\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The first signs of spring; The pair bond and age of first breeding; Courtship behaviour and calling; Male or female? \u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eHistory in Britain\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003e Early history; A decline in fortunes; The road to recovery – Red Kite protection in Wales \u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eMarch\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003e Faithfulness to breeding sites; Nest building; Nest spacing and breeding density \u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eApril\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003e Final touches to the nest; Eggs and incubation; Nest decoration; Defence of the nest \u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eThe Red Kite reintroduction programme\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003e Early reintroduction attempts; Planning the restoration to England and Scotland; Collecting young and care in captivity; Release into the wild; Progress so far; Further release projects; The wider benefits of reintroduction; Bringing back the Red Kite – a project officer’s perspective; The future \u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eMay\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003e Care of small chicks; Studies of food in the breeding season; Foraging range and habitat use \u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eJune\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003e The growing brood; Preparations for the first flight \u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eJuly\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003e Leaving the nest; Towards independence; Red Kite adoptions; Measuring breeding success \u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eThreats and problems\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003e Illegal persecution; Accidental poisoning; Egg collecting; Collisions and accidents; Powerlines \u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eAugust\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003e Fending for themselves; Plumage differences; The annual moult; A lull in activity \u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSeptember\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003e Wanderlust; The Red Kite as a migrant; and The use of new technology \u003cbr\u003e To feed or not to feed? Changes in legislation; Red Kite feeding stations; Feeding in gardens \u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eOctober\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003e The communal roost; Attendance patterns; The daily routine \u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eNovember\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003e The benefits of communal roosting; Social interactions and play at roosts \u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eDecember\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003e A wildlife spectacle; and The influence of weather on roosting behaviour World status Northern Europe; Northwest Europe; Central and eastern Europe; Southern Europe; The future\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eFurther reading \u003cbr\u003e Sources of further information \u003cbr\u003e Species mentioned in the text \u003cbr\u003e Index\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Pelagic Publishing","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48887757570391,"sku":"9781784272005","price":24.7,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"url":"https:\/\/bookcurl.com\/products\/the-red-kite-s-year-9781784272005","provider":"Book Curl","version":"1.0","type":"link"}