An RSPB Scotland project to attach satellite tags to red kites for the first time in the UK has been launched at Grantown Primary.

The “Eyes to the Skies” project is aimed at engaging youngsters in schools in the Highlands with the birds of prey, which were reintroduced to the area in 1989 and reached 48 breeding pairs in 2008.

The pupils will be able to follow the birds’ movements online as well as adopt their own bird. The programme will run for two years, attaching satellite tags to at least 15 chicks to make their movements accessible via a website. Pupils can follow the chicks as they take their first flight and explore their surroundings. An education programme will be delivered to Highland schools and 10 primaries have been chosen to adopt a tagged kite.

www.eyestotheskies.org.uk.