WHEN one of the most spectacular of British birds of prey was reintroduced to the North-East after 150 years, it was more than just a wildlife event.

One of the long-term aims of the project was to encourage greater investment in the regional economy by linking the return of the birds to an increase in leisure spending.

And although it is still early days, the signs are that the re- introduction of red kites is starting to have an economic effect, with shops and pubs reporting additional income from wildlife-watchers.

Last year, the first batch of 20 birds was released in the Derwent Valley, near Gateshead, as part of a project managed by English Nature and the RSPB, in partnership with Gateshead Council, Northumbrian Water, the National Trust and the Forestry Commission, with additional funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund and SITA Environmental Trust.

Red kites disappeared from England and Scotland in the late 1800s, a victim of persecution, and the Derwent Valley project was the first time the species had been re-introduced so close to a large urban conurbation.

It has proved a success - all the birds are radio-tagged, which has shown that 15 of them remain in the region, mostly in the Derwent Valley, although one has been reported further south in Teesdale, County Durham.

Of the remaining five, two are dead, one by poisoning, the other in a road accident, one flew south to Wales and the wherabouts of the final two birds are not known. The figures are better than average mortality rates for juvenile birds in their first year, which has encouraged project organisers.

Their presence in the North-East has had a major impact on people living on Tyneside and in neighbouring communities such as Rowlands Gill and Barlow, near Gateshead, which delight in regular sightings of the bird.

Tourists from across the region and other parts of the country have also been enjoying the sightings, which will increase when another 30 birds are released later this year.

Keith Bowey, manager of the Northern Kites Project, believes the scheme should not only be viewed in wildlife terms, but in the way it will attract visitors.

Mr Bowey recently guided busloads of visitors round the Derwent Valley in a series of Red Kite Safaris, during which a number of the birds were sighted.

He said: "A significant aspiration of the project is that the re-introduction of the birds should not just be regarded as good for the environment but should be seen as good for the economy as well.

"That is something we are looking to develop. We hope that with all the things happening in the North-East, such as the opening of attractions like the Sage, the re-introduction of the red kites will also help people not look at the region as a deprived area with lots of problems, but as an area on the up and up.

"We hope they will look towards the area rather than away from it. We hope they will view it as a good place for wildlife. That will help encourage tourists, which would benefit places like bed and breakfasts, pubs and perhaps hostels.

"In years to come, we may see tourism packages using the wildlife of the region - in places like the Derwent Valley, the Durham dales and the Durham coast - as a selling point."

Given that the first kites were only released in July last year, it is perhaps too early to gauge the economic impact of the project, but people such as pub landlord Steve Lancaster are already seeing the benefit.

The car park of his pub, the Black Horse, in Barlow Road, Barlow, near Gateshead, overlooks some of the wooded countryside in which the kites are regularly seen, which has brought an increase in customers.

He said: "We have had people who come to see the kites then pop into the pub for a bite to eat or something to drink."

Published: 12/04/2005