Evaluating the success of translocating Red Kites Milvus milvus to the UK

In an attempt to extend the breeding range of the Red Kite within the Unite d Kingdom, 93 (48 males and 45 females) juvenile Red Kites, originating fro m Spain, Sweden and Wales, were released in southern England in 1989-94, an d 93 (52 males, 40 females and one unsexed) juvenile Red Kites, originating from Sweden, were released in northern Scotland in 1989-93. Minimum estima tes far first-year survival were 83.1% and 78.0% for male and female Red Ki tes in England, and 50.0% and 52.5% in Scotland, respectively. Annual survi val then improved in the second and third years. Several sick or injured bi rds were recaptured, treated and returned to the wild, and some of these ev entually bred. In their first year, birds released in Scotland tended to di sperse greater distances than those released in England, females travelled further than males, and birds released during the early years dispersed fur ther than those released during the later years. Successful breeding starte d in 1992 in England and Scotland. The mean age of first breeding was 1.9 y ears and 2.6 years for males and 1.8 years and 1.7 years for females in Eng land and Scotland, respectively There was a minimum of 59 clutches laid in England and 29 in Scotland in 1991-95. Clutch size averaged 2.9 (England) a nd 3.0 (Scotland), fledged brood size per breeding pair was 1.9 (England) a nd 1.6 (Scotland), and fledged brood size per successful pair was 2.3 (Engl and) and 2.2 (Scotland). Demographic parameters were used to construct dete rministic models for population growth. At current rates of growth, it is p redicted that the English and Scottish populations will exceed 100 breeding pairs by 1998 and 2007, respectively.