Just spotted this cover for Charles Todd's newest Inspector Ian Rutledge, The Confession, which is set in the 1920s. On the cover of this book, set in London and Essex, there appears to be a red kite; a once common bird in London in Shakespeare's time but by the 20th century only found in Wales. The first sighting in London for 150 years was reported in 2006. They are much more common now due to an RSPB reintroduction programme - easiest way to see them is to go on the Chiltern railway line which goes through their English heartland of the Chilterns (eg Princes Risborough).
2 comments:
Red kites very common in the area south of Oxford and often visible from the M40 when travelling through the Stokenchurch gap in the Chilterns. Look out for them in Midsomer Murder episodes as they frequently film around here.
Good spot. Sadly, the variety of species of birds (and other flora and fauna) in London is severely depleted compared with even 20 years ago. Pigeons, foxes and rats do OK but get rid of a lot else.
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