Looks like peregrine...

Queen bee · #1 (**permalink**) 05-01-2008, 05:06 PM

Well, the other day my mum, my cousins and I went for a walk in the local forest, and on the track leading to it is a field over a hedge. We saw a medium bird, dark grey in colour, rise up from the field and fly away with rapid wingbeats. It had falcon's wings-- turning sharply at an angle, not like the sickle shaped hobby's wings (I saw a hobby hunting swallows a few years ago. Of course, it can't be a hobby now as they've migrated away). I think it could be a peregrine-- what do you think?

Tursiops2 · #2 (**permalink**) 05-01-2008, 05:35 PM

Hi Queen Bee
Your description, the habitat and behaviour would suggest male Sparrowhawk, although Peregrine isn't impossible. Could you see if the wingtips were rounded or pointed?
T2

Queen bee · #3 (**permalink**) 05-01-2008, 05:45 PM

They were definetely pointed... I wonder if they are nesting, and if so where? There's a disused quarry down the road, so maybe that's their spot. A few years ago (when i was about 10) I thought there were Peregrines in the area, but that may have been the cause of overexcitement--one sighting I can definetely write off as a woodpigeon!

Tursiops2 · #4 (**permalink**) 05-01-2008, 05:54 PM

If they were definitely pointed then peregrine is a distinct possibility, but I couldn't say for certain. Keep your eyes open, you may well see it again. It's the wrong time of year for nesting, but a disused quarry would certainly have that potential. What part of the country are you in?

Queen bee · #5 (**permalink**) 07-01-2008, 05:32 PM

I'm in Devon, on the edge of Dartmoor

aeshna5 · #6 (**permalink**) 07-01-2008, 05:44 PM

Could be Peregrine, though I don't think you can totally eliminate Sparrowhawk- not normally pointed wings, but can on occasions give that impression. Medium size would probably rule out a male Merlin which would be a likely species around you, as they are pretty small.