William Shakespeare loathed red kites.Bard and bird didn't see eye to eye and he stated that "city housewives are very angry with them and curse them above all birds"

He often referred to kites or 'puttocks' as they were then called in his plays.But,the bird played a major role in clearing garbage littered streets of Tudor London and no doubt the vermin attracted to them for although kites are primarily scavengers,small mammals and birds are taken on occasions.

There followed a period when kites almost became extinct with only a few pairs surviving in the wilds of wales.However,within the past few years,with a little help from his friends,the red kite population has soared and we only have to drive along the M40 corridor to see the birds wheeling above,their forked tails a give away diagnostic feature.Feeding stations have been set up in various western counties to help them.

Sitting sipping a cappuccino in the Chessington garden centre in the first week of May I heard a commotion above and looking up was astonished to watch a crow mobbing a red kite(see picture).Up until now the bird has been confined to Wales and western counties so was this visit a recce or has it now begun to extend its range into Surrey?

Another success story belongs to the buzzard.This bird of prey was until a few years ago only to be found in Wales,northern Britain and Scotland but has now spread rapidly and breeds regularly in Surrey.

This yesr buzzards have even been sighted several times over Wimbledon common so will they soon nest there too?