This spectacular bird of prey was on the brink of extinction in Britain - but now it's making an extraordinary comeback in Kent.

The red kite, a huge russet-coloured scavanger with a distinctive wedge-shaped tail, was once common in Britain.

In Tudor times the bird could be seen in towns and cities feeding on waste and carrion.

But persistent persecution and harmful pesticides introduced in the 1950s almost wiped out the species in Britain.

Just a handful of pairs were left in Wales in the late 80s.

Then there were a few reintroductions in England in the 90s, but sightings from these were mainly in the south west.

It made national news when the birds started to appear in Oxfordshire and Berkshire.

Now within the last year there have been sightings all over Kent.

The bird has been spotted in villages near Ashford including Challock, Wye, and the A251 Ashford Faversham road.

Three have been seen circling near the Halfway House at Challock, and out as far as Sheldwich and Badlesmere.

And, according to the blog stmargaretsphotodiary.blogspot.com - that provided these snaps - there have been red kites seen at St Margaret's At Cliffe, near Dover.

On Friday, one was seen hunting over woodland at Kemsdale, Hernhill, by Phillip and Alison and West, from Kemsdale Coach House.

"We have seen buzzards here in recent years, but this was completely different," said Mrs West.

"The colour and markings are striking and even at the height it was circling, we could see it was a kite."

The Wild in Britain website carries recent reports kites circling over Brenley Farm at Boughton, and many other sightings along the A251.

The RSPB and Joint Nature Conservation Committee have reintroduced kites at two sites, one in the Chilterns and the other in north Scotland.

This began in 1989 and breeding populations have been established.

However, some experts believe that birds now being seen in the skies over Ashford and the villages are cross-Channel vistors from Europe and that with conditions now right, they could well start breeding.