Rare Red Kites Spotted Nesting in Sherwood Forest for the First Time

In a significant wildlife development, red kites have been spotted nesting in Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire, marking the first time these birds of prey have been observed breeding in the area. This discovery was part of an annual "creature count" conducted by wildlife rangers at the Center Parcs resort in Sherwood Forest, which has been described as a "record-breaking year" for the site.

The survey, led by Center Parcs, also uncovered the presence of rare butterflies, otters, and bats across the resort. Notably, rangers have ringed the highest number of birds in a year, including 315 blue tits, 70 great tits, 21 coal tits, and 41 nuthatches.

The Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust, which works in partnership with Center Parcs, has hailed the discovery of the red kites as a significant milestone. Red kites were once extinct in England, but their return to Sherwood Forest demonstrates that the "plight of cherished species" can be turned around through conservation efforts.

Richard Watson, the ecology and biodiversity manager at Center Parcs, expressed his delight at the diverse array of wildlife found during the survey, from "strange-looking fungi to majestic sightings of rare butterflies, otters and red kites." He emphasized that the data collected will be invaluable in shaping the resort's habitat management and conservation strategies for the years to come.