Unknown bird (no photo just sketch)

[Dogghound]

Sorry me again , This morning whilst watching a couple of Roe deer, in an area of mixed woodland in a opening not to far from farmland, i witnessed a fairly large raptor, sadly it didn't hang around for a photo, so i have done a quick sketch via paint . I didn't get chance to see its color, although i did see its shape and size, it landed at the very top of a tree across the clearing, a wood pigeon had been in the same place around half an hour before which helped me gage the size, it was substantially bigger than a wood pigeon, i didn't think it was a kestrel as it was too big although a fairly similar shape, although i arnt great with birds. It seemed very streamline unlike a buzzard etc. It was hard to tell its flight pattern as it was battling against the wind

Any idea's?

Thanks alot.

[coasty]

Interesting How big do you reckon,,, Looks very harrier ish to me,,,

Andy

[Dogghound]

Originally Posted by coasty

Interesting How big do you reckon,,, Looks very harrier ish to me,,,

Andy

We dont get harriers around here do we mate?

About the 1 and a half times the size of a big woodpigeon pigeon.

[Jason Green]

Hello Dogghound!!

I would have said Hobby, but of course they've gone away for the winter? Very similar wings - I in fact mis-took one for a swift when I saw it thi year.

If not, perhaps merlin?

Recently I saw a BoP and it was suggested it could be a Hen Harrier - I since looked at its flight video on the RSPBs website and believe it to be very similar.

Perhaps you could look at their videos?

To re-iterate, I say it could be a Merlin or, as suggested, perhaps one of the Harriers.

[Lance Morgan]

Goshawk?

[Dogghound]

Originally Posted by Jason Green

Hello Dogghound!!

I would have said Hobby, but of course they've gone away for the winter? Very similar wings - I in fact mis-took one for a swift when I saw it thi year.

If not, perhaps merlin?

Recently I saw a BoP and it was suggested it could be a Hen Harrier - I since looked at its flight video on the RSPBs website and believe it to be very similar.

Perhaps you could look at their videos?

To re-iterate, I say it could be a Merlin or, as suggested, perhaps one of the Harriers.

Cheers, the only problem is the size. Just seemed bigger than a kestrel, it was a hobby shape yes, but wont be any around. So could be a merlin but they are a similar size to a kestrel and this was larger. Will have a look at the video although it was not flying as you would expect due to the strong wind.

[coasty]

They have been seen as passing migrants/vagrants but no reports of any recently.

The profile and size say that to me. It was smaller then the falcons above mentioned would be my bet,,,, But bigger then a stoggy well makes harrier best bet.

[zharca]

Hi, those thin, swept-back wings say falcon rather than hawk to me. For the size, I' say peregrine, but they don't have that very long tail when sitting.

We're not looking at someone's bird here, are we? I got really excited a few weeks ago looking at a Peregrine in a tree down in Kent, then i noticed he had jesses!

[Dogghound]

Originally Posted by zharca

Hi, those thin, swept-back wings say falcon rather than hawk to me. For the size, I' say peregrine, but they don't have that very long tail when sitting.

We're not looking at someone's bird here, are we? I got really excited a few weeks ago looking at a Peregrine in a tree down in Kent, then i noticed he had jesses!

No it was about 7:30ish this morning i was the only one there, anyone exercising a falcon would have scared the deer i was watching, this bird flew to the tree, the flew out of sight into the woods. I agree it was a type of falcon, maybe its my perception and it was just a very big kestrel just seemed bigger, and was an anchor shape like in the sketch.

[MagpieMick]

Hmmmmmmmm.......Red Kite..

[Tursiops2]

Originally Posted by Dogghound

was an anchor shape like in the sketch.

Characteristic of a Peregrine
I think that's your best bet.
T2

[Perry Grin]

Originally Posted by Dogghound

No it was about 7:30ish this morning i was the only one there, anyone exercising a falcon would have scared the deer i was watching, this bird flew to the tree, the flew out of sight into the woods. I agree it was a type of falcon, maybe its my perception and it was just a very big kestrel just seemed bigger, and was an anchor shape like in the sketch.

Size and anchor shape suggests peregrine, long tail could point to sparrowhawk (female for size)??????

[widgeon0]

Possible Goshawk or female Sparrowhawk.

[tufftie]

What was the tip of its tail like and what was it doing with it in flight? Tempted by red kite maybe form the description rather than picture of tail..??

[Dogghound]

Originally Posted by tufftie

What was the tip of its tail like and what was it doing with it in flight? Tempted by red kite maybe form the description rather than picture of tail..??

It didnt have a forked tail. Peregrine never heard of them in this area but they are spreading arnt they? Goshawk and Sparrowhawk both present so both good possibilities.
Although peregrine shape.....Do either of the Hawks ever appear to have that shape and more pointed wings? Cheers

[ChrisJB]

Originally Posted by coasty

Interesting How big do you reckon,,, Looks very harrier ish to me,,,

Andy

I'm with you on this. Tail too long for Peregrine and too big for Merlin.

Regards, Chris

[paulchandler6]

Originally Posted by coasty

Interesting How big do you reckon,,, Looks very harrier ish to me,,,

Andy

Size, Long narrow wings and long tail are good for a harrier.

Paul

[Lincs Yellowbelly]

I'd definatly go for Kestrel, Shape of wings and lenght of tail is right. It's often difficult to judge sizes of birds, but the fact it sat at the top of a tree also indicates Kestrel to me as that is what you mainly see them doing

[tufftie]

Originally Posted by Dogghound

It didnt have a forked tail. Peregrine never heard of them in this area but they are spreading arnt they? Goshawk and Sparrowhawk both present so both good possibilities.
Although peregrine shape.....Do either of the Hawks ever appear to have that shape and more pointed wings? Cheers

Ah, just i've seen them on trees like that! I'll go with a harrier in that case

[sometimes]

I'd guess Sparrowhawk/Goshawk.

As you rightly note, flying against a strong wind will 'edit' the normal wing shape somewhat