The impressive bird, identified as a red kite, was spotted in flight above a residential area on April 18.
Paul Devine, 42, was editing at his computer when his wife, Aimeè, alerted him to a “big bird flying around the house”.
The Red Kite was spotted in Burwash (Image: Paul Devine)
He rushed to grab his camera, only to find the battery was flat.
Mr Devine said: “I was rushing around trying to find another one, and when I finally got outside I spent about 15 minutes taking photos.
“It was amazing to see — not something you witness every day right above your home.
The bird was spotted outside his home (Image: Paul Devine)
“The detail and sheer presence of the bird were incredible.
“I felt really lucky to be at home at that moment and to capture some wonderful images.”
Paul Devine with his late dog, Dudley (Image: Paul Devine)
Julie Chambers commented: “I always worry about my dog Cookie being dog napped by one of these!”
She added: “When she was a pup and we walked over the fields I had one eye on her and one eye on the sky!
“I will hang onto the training lead!”
Devine said: “I didn’t worry about red kites picking up my dog.
“But, I did think that’s why the bird might be flying around.
“It’s definitely a possibility that’s what he was looking for.”
By the 20th century, red kites were extinct in England and Scotland due to persecution and egg collecting.
Their return is considered one of the UK’s greatest conservation success stories, thanks to a reintroduction scheme launched in July 1990.
Tony Juniper, chairman of Natural England, said: “Red kites are one of our most majestic birds of prey with a beautiful plumage, and are easily recognisable thanks to their soaring flight and mewing call.
“Persecuted to near-extinction, they have made a triumphant comeback in England over the past three decades.”
The reintroduction project began in the Chilterns in July 1990 and involved releasing 13 young birds brought from Spain.
The first successful breeding occurred in 1992, and by 1996, at least 37 pairs were recorded in southern England.
The programme was the result of a partnership between the Nature Conservancy Council (now Natural England), the RSPB, the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC), Zoological Society London, and British Airways.
Red Kite (Image: Paul Devine)
Another commenter joked that they worried Red Kites could carry people away when he spotted one whilst building.
Kieron James Staton said “I was building some sheds near Reading and I felt like I was going to be kidnapped by one.”
Megan Morton, 14, took this photo of a Red Kite on 14 April (Image: Megan Morton)
Devine’s photography business is called Best Friend Pet Photography, a name he attributes to the friendship with his dog Dudley before his death last year.