new raptor on the block.

[brownfingers]

For the past few days I've been catching glimpses of a raptror which isn't the usual stuff we get around here. Bigger than a sparrowhawk, but not as big as a buzzard. More agile than a buzzard, but flying too high for a sparrowhawk. Wings not broad enough for a buzzard and a thin tail instead of a flared one. Mainly white on the underside. I've just seen it having one hell of a go at a full grown woodie not 20m from my greenhouse. I think I got me a goshawk for company. The task now is to try and get a photo, though I don't hold much hope out for a good one.

[Verinda]

Ooh I'm looking forward to seeing a photograph!

[brownfingers]

I'm just hoping I can get one!

[out in the cold]

Harris Hawk? What kind of colouring is it on its main plumage brownfingers?

[out in the cold]

Just checked online... The Rspb have a bird identifier on their website which looks great, with detailed drawings.

It could be a juvenile Hobby, or even a Kestrel from the description.

[Nicos]

Hope you can ID it BF...

We have a raptor here we can't identify.
We have heard rumours of eagles in the area, and the screech fits in.....but the silhouette is so hard to ID

Whatever it is....how fantastic!

[Two_Sheds]

The Rspb have a bird identifier on their website

linky

The RSPB: Sparrowhawk: Identification

[brownfingers]

It's definitely not a sparrowhawk. I get a sparrowhawk in the garden regularly ( see piccy). It even sits on the bird table. Too big for kestrel or hobby or the like. From the size, wing shape, tail shape, underside colouring, manner of how it moves, I can only come up with a Goshawk. The only other bird which I can see that remotely resembles it is a Marsh Harrier, but location, size etc rules that one out.

[Catseyes]

What about a hobby?


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[Kirk]

The sparrow Hawk you give is the male, the female is bigger and more grey all over. It can actually resemble a scaled down goshawk. And is also the right size and species to go after wood pigeon. So are goshawks.

Without a picture it will be difficult, also with a picture you will get I expect 3 different opinions.
Have a look through this and see if you can get any further ideas:
The RSPB: Birds by name

I have been seeing a few raptors around this area but as I have been in the car could not stop to get a goot look.

Also the male and female can be somewhat different, and the juveniles different again.

[brownfingers]

It was the height and manner of flight which made me think it wasn't a sparrowhawk. Anyway, it's not been back since, so we'll never know.

[Knight of Albion]

It could well be a goshawk. It matches your description.

I have one here - wish I didn't!

Generally, they're rotational killers. I find it'll kill three birds then go somewhere else. (Makes sense, from their perspective, when you think about it.)

[Knight of Albion]

PS: The goshawk is a slow eater. Once it has subdued and pinned its victim, it will eat leisurely, plucking the chest feathers, then ripping out and eating the heart. * The victim is still alive up to that point.
A lot of birds, pigeons especially, will play dead.
What I'm alluding to is that, if you're of a mind to, and if you're still agile on your feet, you might well be able to carry out a rescue.

[brownfingers]

Loads of feathers (looks like I'm minus one blackbird), on the back garden down by the greenhouse today. I reckon the likely culprit will be a sparrowhawk though.

[mothhawk]

BF, your photos are so lovely, have you seen this competition to win £50 worth of treats and goodies for the birds in your garden?