Red kites up by 50% in Spanish national park

THE number of breeding pairs of an endangered bird of prey has increased by half in the last year.

The Junta has recorded sightings of 74 red kite pairs, compared to just 40 in 2011.

Most of the birds live in the Donana National Park, where recent efforts to support the species have included installing two artificial nesting platforms to replace those which had collapsed, and putting out food.

There is still much work to be done, after no breeding pairs were found in the west of Andalucia despite its habitat being ideal for the red kite to thrive.