Wood Pigeons and a Red Kite

I was out walking with Zoe through Reading University grounds this evening when two wood pigeons flew low across the path in front of us, and low over the adjoining field, apparently trying to keep in the cover of the occasional trees and bushes.  This seemed odd to me as pigeons usually don't seem to mind flying high, and I remarked on it to Zoe.

A few seconds later Zoe pointed to what she thought was gull silhouetted against the sunset.  It was rather large for a gull and it seemed to be flying rather to fast.  Then I noticed that its was forked and I realised that it must be a red kite.  Just a few minutes earlier someone we had met by the lake had said they had just seen one, so I take that as a sort of pre-confirmation.  I flew off over some trees and we didn't get another look at it.  The pigeons could well have known that the kite was around and were flying low to avoid attracting its attention.