Bird of prey confusion.

[demicav]

Took a visit to Haigh country park today in Wigan, the weather was lovely. Walking down a path amongst the trees I noticed a bird some distance away in the tree canopy that looked like a Kestrel. I've seen many Kestrels and usually have no problem identifying them, however when it took flight to the next tree it didn't fly like a Kestrel. I'm used to seeing them hover. Can anyone tell me how they would fly just going from tree to tree like this one did ? Is hovering only done when they're hunting prey ? The one I saw today was quite a distance away but I'm 99% sure it was a Kestrel, could just about make out the markings but lack of hovering made me wonder.

[JeffH]

Yes demicav, Kestrels do indeed only hover whilst looking for or watching possible prey on the ground.

I've often seen them fly between trees and roadside telegraph poles, etc without hovering.

Nice to hear you mention Haigh - spent many happy hours there when we lived up north and still have a picture of the Park gates in our lounge

Jeff

[demicav]

Originally Posted by JeffH

Yes demicav, Kestrels do indeed only hover whilst looking for or watching possible prey on the ground.

I've often seen them fly between trees and roadside telegraph poles, etc without hovering.

Nice to hear you mention Haigh - spent many happy hours there when we lived up north and still have a picture of the Park gates in our lounge

Jeff

Thanks Jeff, so I guess it was a Kestrel, beautiful birds they are.

Yes I agree Haigh is a lovely place, plenty of wooded area still around and nice down by the canal too.

[oxycera]

Have visited the antiquarian book fair there in the past - nice spot.