Can anyone identify this bird?

Last summer we were cooking oxtail on the bbq, and chucked some lesser cuts to the dogs. Low and behold, one of these bad boys swooped from the heavens and stole the meat from the dog, literally about 5 feet away from me. Needless to say, i needed an underwear change.

Beautiful creatures, we have loads around here. Watching them hover, glide and swoop is magestic. I sometimes use walking the dogs as an excuse to get an eye on them.
 
Got a side question I have been wondering about - I know hunting with dogs is illegal in the UK but what about hunting with BIRDS?
 
Philtor said:
That looks like a high gain antenna. The bird is simply admiring it.
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Not especially high gain however I do notice a VHF halo on the house on the right in the first picture :) Perhaps the Red Kite was checking that out.
 
Just in case you hadn't already understood from all the other posters...it's a Red Kite.

Amazing birds, we have three locally, they circle incredibly high and we are usually alerted to their presence by their call, it's a really high pitched KKKEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE which sounds for miles.

Amazing birds. :)

Here's some more information from the RSPB including their call. :)
 
Kyo said:
Do they only appear in England or are they all about the UK?
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Have a look at the link I posted, tells you all about them.

Selection of info from the RSPB:

At one time confined to Wales, a reintroduction scheme has brought them back to many parts of England and Scotland. Central Wales, central England - especially the Chilterns, central Scotland - at Argaty, and along the Galloway Kite Trail are the best areas to find them.
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whatarebirds.jpg
 
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Lots of red kites near me. On the industrial estate our office is based on a few ladies put scraps of meat out for them. Quite cool to see them swooping down to get it.
 
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