\n A red kite was photographed flying over Beachy Head in Eastbourne by Tadas Kaminskas, who owns TK Photography.\n<\/p>\n
\n Kaminskas shared the video on social media and described the moment as a first-time encounter at Beachy Head.\n<\/p>\n
\n The red kite was recorded by Tadas Kaminskas (Image: Tadas Kaminskas)\n<\/p>\n
\n Tadas Kaminskas said on Facebook: “I finally caught the iconic Red Kite soaring over Beachy Head.\n<\/p>\n
\n “I feel lucky.”\n<\/p>\n
\n Red kites are medium-sized raptors known for their forked tails and wing tips that look like splayed fingers.\n<\/p>\n
\n They mainly feed on carrion and worms.\n<\/p>\n
\n Commenters expressed excitement at the sighting.\n<\/p>\n
\n Amy Tibbo said: “Stunning!\n<\/p>\n
\n “I walked over 50km over Easter weekend and kept my eyes peeled the whole time but didn’t see any, I feel cheated.”\n<\/p>\n
\n Michael Howell said: “Majestic.”\n<\/p>\n
\n Andy Vine said: “Great work mate.”\n<\/p>\n
\n Other photographs taken by Tadas Kaminskas can be found on his Facebook page TK Photography.\n<\/p>\n
\n By the 20th century, red kites were extinct in England and Scotland due to persecution and egg collecting.\n<\/p>\n
\n Their return is considered one of the UK\u2019s greatest conservation success stories<\/a>, thanks to a reintroduction scheme launched in July 1990.\n<\/p>\n \n 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.\n<\/p>\n \n “Persecuted to near-extinction, they have made a triumphant comeback in England over the past three decades.”\n<\/p>\n \n The reintroduction project began in the Chilterns in July 1990 and involved releasing 13 young birds brought from Spain.\n<\/p>\n \n The first successful breeding occurred in 1992, and by 1996, at least 37 pairs were recorded in southern England.\n<\/p>\n \n 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.\n<\/p>\n \n Jeff Knott, RSPB operations director for Central and Eastern England, said: “In the 1980s, anyone wanting to see a red kite had to make a special pilgrimage to a handful of sites.\n<\/p>\n \n “Today it is a daily sight for millions of people.\n<\/p>\n \n “In a few short decades we have taken a species from the brink of extinction, to the UK being home to almost 10% of the entire world population.”\n<\/p>\n \n A 2025 South Downs National Park report found that red kite and buzzard populations have also seen slight increases<\/a>, with strongholds in West Sussex from Midhurst to the Havant area.\n<\/p>\n