I HAVE a 1969 book about birds, which states that red kites are so rare, they can only be seen in Wales.

One frosty afternoon in January a flock of land gulls circled low over my back garden and were dive bombed by four red kites. One of the latter was huge.

It was reminiscent of the RAF dog fights during the Second World War. I live in North Central Headington and became concerned about the wildlife I see in my garden, squirrels for instance have disappeared and I understand that red kites are partial to frogs/toads, hedgehogs and worms, which I have.

Red kites were reintroduced to The Chilterns in 1989. Is anyone concerned about their massive increase in population?

PAT ROSS Bowness Avenue Headington, Oxford