Red kites and education

A big part of the Eyes to the skies project is about connecting school children with their local natural heritage. During this project 15 red kites will be adopted by local schools who will be able to watch the progress of their red kite by weekly updates from a satellite tag carried in a small harness - much like a rucksack - on the birds back. The harness and tag weigh no more than 20 g and have no perceptible impact on the birds movement or abilities.

The schools currently involved are Avoch Primary School, Dingwall Primary School, Culbokie Primary School, Farr Primary School, Carrbridge Primary School, Grantown Primary School, Daviot Primary School, Aviemore Primary School, Beauly Primary School and Merkinch Primary School.

We're also creating stand-alone school packs, with information about red kites and ideas for activities and games with a wildlife theme. There is a pack for three different age groups, pre-school, primary and lower secondary. We've also devised a red kite story, which takes the form of an interactive play suitable for primary school children. The play is about "How the red kite became", following the adventures and tricky decisions a young red kite to be makes before hatching and settling down. Requests can be made for the education packs, a performance for your school or group by contacting eyestotheskies@rspb.org.uk or telephoning 01463 715 000.