Kestrels are a familiar sight, with their pointed wings and long tail, hovering beside a roadside verge. However, numbers of kestrels have declined since the 1970s, probably as a result of changes in farming, and so it is now included on the UK Birds of Conservation Concern Amber List.
Alan Poxon, a professional kite maker has created a realistic template – ready coloured or blank to colour your own – of a kestrel to fly as a small kite in light winds, or hang up as a decoration, to support our Eyes on the Skies campaign calling for reforms to stop birds of prey persecution.
To learn more about the campaign, and download the templates and instructions to make your own kestrel kite click here.
If you enjoy making the kestrel kite, we’d love you to share any stories or photos with us!
And remember, you can directly support our campaign by signing our Petition to Government seeking better national recording of wildlife crime, the introduction of sentencing guidelines and the strengthening of penalties for offenders, and more effective regulation for those industries where the crimes often happen.
Support our call for urgent legal reforms to help stop birds of prey persecution by adding your name to our Petition now.