Wallingford red kites trail  

Round & About

Thanks to Wild about Wallingford, in association with Wallingford Town Council, you can follow the trail of nine life-size red kites and learn to ‘love kites but don’t feed them’ 

Historically red kites were widespread across Britain but were brought close to extinction in Tudor times as they were “causing a nuisance”.  

Kites were released in the Chilterns Hills in the 1990s. There are now more than 10,000 individuals – it’s the biggest species recovery success story in UK conservation history. Red kites are now part of our everyday lives – and a key element of biodiversity in Wallingford.  

Now there’s a wonderful new opportunity to explore the town and celebrate these magnificent birds; adult kites have a wingspan of almost 2m. The Red Kite Trail is a set of life-sized wooden silhouettes around the town. These kites have been painted by local artists, schools and community groups. Following the trail allows everyone to see these amazing designs, learn about the artists, appreciate Wallingford and learn about red kites. The trail has been developed by the community-led charity Wild about Wallingford with support from Wallingford Town Council, thanks to funding from South Oxfordshire District Council with materials donated by Colliers Builders Merchants and DIY supplies. 

Unfortunately, some people are feeding kites and the birds are associating people with food. The fear is that kites may become a nuisance again – like gulls at the seaside – so organisers are keen to celebrate the wonders of red kites through these art installations.