Red Kite?

 

Three birds of prey circled each other as they glid smoothly around the contours of the hillside; I think they were Red Kites (Milvus milvus). Red Kites were once a persecuted species seen as vermin, by the end of the 18th century their numbers  were reduced to a few pairs in Wales. Thankfully years of successful reintroduction programs have seen their numbers soar to 1800 breeding pairs, still mostly in Wales, through present in increasing numbers in parts of England and Scotland too. Beautiful birds, and wonderful spectacle to observe.

Circling

Three birds of prey glided slowly and effortlessly across the sky, performing a circling dance and occasionally screeching loudly as they duelled for supremacy. Although a serious matter for them, I found it strangely relaxing to watch.