Strong signs that red kites,
which died out in England almost 150 years ago, are breeding in Kent have been
welcomed by the RSPB.
Reports of sightings of the
dazzling bird, unmistakeable with its forked tail and angled red wings tipped
with black, are pouring in from all over the county . Although unable to
confirm that there are breeding sites in Kent, spokesman Tim Webb said:
"The county does have the right habitats and conditions so it's amazing
the birds haven't spread sooner from their stronghold in the Chilterns."
Hunted down as "vermin"
for many years, red kites were declared extinct in England in 1871. A few
survived in remote parts of Wales, but even by the 1960s, by now protected,
numbers were tiny.
Since being re-introduced to
various parts of the UK, however, red kites have begun to thrive. No longer on
the endangered species list, the large, graceful birds of prey are frequently
spotted soaring above the M4 motorway. They are also often seen in the Midlands
and North. However it has taken them some years to reach Kent, which is why
birdwatchers are so excited.
"I saw one above my house in
Paddock Wood the other day," said gardener Trevor Davies. "It was a
wonderful sight, it is s
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