Red Kites in Upwood

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The Red Kites can often be seen close to Upwood Cricket Field. They are a large bird of prey, about the size of a Buzzard, but are easily distinguished by their forked tail and striking colour - predominantly chestnut red with white patches under the wings and a pale grey head.

The Red Kite was saved from national extinction by one of the world's longest running protection programmes and has now been successfully re-introduced to England and Scotland. It is an Amber List species because of its historical decline.

If you visit Top Lodge at Fineshade Woods, near Stamford, there is an excellent visitor centre with cameras which give close-up views of one of the red kites' nests. More information about this can be found on the Forestry Commission website.