A rare Red Kite has been sighted over a Shrewsbury Town Council countryside site.
Assistant ranger, Tom Tyler, spotted the bird of prey flying over the Rea Brook Valley Local Nature Reserve, off Old Potts Way.
Tom is on a year-long work placement with the Countryside Unit as part of a degree in Countryside and Environmental Management at Harper Adams University.
Matt Wilcoxen, countryside ranger for Shrewsbury Town Council said: “Red Kites were reduced to only a few pairs living in Wales at the start of the 20th Century, following years of persecution by landowners.
“Reintroduction programmes and protection have seen them spread back out across the UK, although they are still very rare for this part of Shropshire.”
Red Kites are larger than the Common Buzzard with a wingspan of up to 180cm and have a distinctive forked tail.
Sightings can be reported to the Shropshire Ornithological Society, visit www.shropshirebirds.com for more information.
For further information contact Suzi Wilkinson, Marketing & Promotions Officer on: 01743 257654 or email suzi.wilkinson-stc@shropshire.gov.uk