Once a common sight in medieval Britain, the majestic Red Kite was hunted almost to extinction in the centuries that followed.
By the early twentieth century only a few pairs survived in mid Wales prompting the RSPB and other conservation groups to begin a campaign to protect the endangered bird that would last decades.
It eventually became the longest running species protection programme in the world.
Over the years, each Red Kite was carefully monitored with farmers helping to feed them and Ghurkha soldiers being brought in to guard their habitat.
To boost the chances of survival, a reintroduction programme was initiated in 1989 in England and Scotland.
Red Kites were taken as nestlings from Europe and reared in pens before being released into the British countryside.
Thanks to the hard work of many conservation groups (in the early days when protecting endangered species was not a priority) 960 pairs were recorded in Britain in 2005.
The future looks bright for the Red Kite and in 1999, it was voted Bird of the Twentieth Century.
Campaigners say there is still a great need for vigilance so complacency does not set in.
For those keen to see this very special bird, the best place is mid-Wales in the winter months, although they can now be found in many areas throughout Britain.
Royal Crown Derby has designed a beautiful bone china Red Kite in its paperweight range.
The designer is Tien Manh Dinh, and the modeller, Donald Brindley.
The Red Kite is standing on a branch, watching for prey.