DISTRIBUTION AND BREEDING OF RED-KITES MILVUS-MILVUS IN RELATION TO AFFORESTATION AND OTHER LAND-USE IN WALES

1. Between 1946 and 1993, the numbers of territorial red kites, which form an isolated relict population in central Wales, increased from se ven pairs to 113 pairs. 2. Throughout this period, concern has repeate dly been expressed that the afforestation of the Welsh uplands might a ffect kites adversely, by reducing the area of open foraging habitat. At present, only 16% of the total area used by kites in Wales is under trees. The several analyses performed here gave no firm indication th at conifer afforestation up to current levels has had any detrimental effects on the distribution, numbers or breeding performance of kites. 3. Within the local landscape, kites preferred areas rich in native o aks and other broad-leaved trees in which to nest. Such remnants of wo odland emerged as the main features influencing their distribution wit hin the current range. 4. Within the range of local densities found in Wales (1-13 pairs per 5-km square), kites bred no worse, and no bette r, at high density than at low density.