Red Kite Cobham Kent

[leeroy]

I respect everyones comments, but I am convinced it was a red kite, it completely took me by surprise & all sorts of things cross your mind in that situation, but two things sprang to mind straight away, one, the sheer size of it & two the unmistakeable forked tail, plus it appeared much more graceful & agile than a buzzard as it continued to hunt along the edge of the woods, I have seen quite a few buzzards around the Eynsford/Shoreham area & they appear quite a bit smaller do not act the same.
I have to add that the pic is a really bad one taken on my mobile, that I had to crop by around 25% to see anything, plus its flying away so no chance of seeing the tail properly,beginning to wish I never posted it ...... not a good pic at all.
The area is typical bird of prey hunting ground, buzzards are probably around although I have not seen any myself & both types that would be here would have rounded tails - unless some tail feathers were missing .... didn't look like it to me tho.
As well as the man that saw a kite over Shorne Country Park, I have also spoken to the ranger at Jeskyns Country Park & she said there have been several reports of a pair of red kites in the area.
I hope I see it again & get better pics, not holding out much hope tho .....