Quote:
Originally Posted by Tursiops2  Mountainbiker mentions "rounded wings", which suggests Sparrowhawk. Must admit, though, I hadn't realised Hobbies had got so far into the NW. Doing well, aren't they? Lovely birds, good job they don't take pigeons  |
I agree ''rounded wings'' would favor an accipiter. However, Hobbies can look surprisingly rounded winged when in hunt/chasing birds and especially when feeding on dragonflies on the wing. But as Mountainbiker (hi!) indicates, he is unable to separate a falcon species from a hawk and has never seen a Hobby, so not sure how ''rounded'' rounded means and compared to what?!
Take a look at these two images
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1002/...g?v=1190145391 http://www.birdpix.nl/album_pic.php?pic_id=22462
Mountainbiker also observed (presumably because their were fairly prominent) the alula wing. This to me suggests that falcon can not be ruled out. In my experience, it is the falcons that tend to use the alula more than accipiters in active flight when hunting as it's this that gives wing dynamics of high speed chase and turn.
I'm not suggesting the BOP in question was not a Sparrowhawk, simply making the point that, based on the lack of further details/photo, one can not say it was with the degree of conviction some were appearing to do so in response to the Mountainbikers ID request. Yes, Sparrowhawk is just as likely as a Hobby/Peregrine, both on hunting technique and habitat.