We have recently reported on Red Kites being spotted over Tarporley, 'Heart of the Sandstone Ridge'.

This is fantastic news, after regular sightings during May, June and July last year (and of a pair).

That said – your sightings keep pouring in – our thanks to you.

Whether or not these magnificent birds are actually breeding in our area is still an unknown, but it is likely to be just a matter of time.

The RSPB has produced a useful map showing the distribution of Red Kites in the British Isles and it can be seen that this elegant 'bird of prey' is already resident in North East Wales, and is also very close to us, right here on the Ridge.

What is remarkable is that Red Kites were saved from national extinction by one of the world's longest-running protection programmes and this unmistakable bird, with its reddish-brown body, angled wings and deeply forked tail, has become commonplace over much of England and Wales.

Keep your eyes open and continue to let us know if you see one (or a pair)!