13/05/2026
Mountain View Christmas Tree Farm in Co. Wicklow is an absolute haven for wildlife such as bees and insects, animals and birdlife.
We have some Red Kites nesting on the farm and this morning we got some stunning shots of them over our farm.
Red kites were first released in the Rathdrum / Avoca area of Wicklow in July 2007 as part of a reintroduction programme after the species had been extinct in Ireland for over 200 years.
The initial release involved 30 birds.
Additional releases followed in later years — for example, another group of 13 birds were released near Avoca in 2011.
The project has been considered a massive conservation success, and red kites are now regularly seen across parts of Wicklow, Dublin, and beyond. Our photos show some of the original tagged birds which were released and some younger untagged birds which have successfully bred in the area.
* Their scientific name, Milvus milvus, comes from the Latin word for kite or soaring bird.
* Their most distinctive feature is the deeply forked tail, which works almost like a rudder when gliding and steering in the air.
* Their wingspan is impressive — usually around 1.5 to 1.8 metres, making them one of the largest birds of prey commonly seen in Ireland.
* Red kites are exceptionally graceful flyers. They can stay airborne for long periods with very little wing flapping, using rising warm air currents called thermals. You’ll often see them “hanging” in the wind or slowly circling over Wicklow fields as they scan huge areas below in search of food.
* They were once extinct in Ireland and the UK in many areas due to persecution and poisoning.
* Their eyesight is extremely sharp — they can spot small prey from high above while circling.
* Unlike many birds of prey, red kites are often scavengers. They happily eat dead animals, road kill, scraps, worms and even food stolen from other birds.
* Contrary to old beliefs of farmers, Red kites are generally not dangerous to livestock or pets. They mostly feed on dead animals or small prey like rodents. However, one of the biggest ongoing threats to them in Ireland is still illegal poisoning, especially from poisoned bait intended for foxes or crows.
* They make a distinctive whistling call that sounds surprisingly soft for a bird of prey.
* Juvenile red kites can wander huge distances. Young birds released in Wicklow have later been recorded across Ireland and even overseas.
* They often perform spectacular aerial courtship displays, twisting and diving together in pairs.
* Red kites can live more than 20 years in the wild under good conditions.
So the next time you visit Mountain View Farm for your Christmas tree, don’t forget to look up! 🦅🌲🇮🇪
