Bird of Prey in Lake District

[darwin]

HI,

Saw a BOP in Borrowdale, half way up the hills yesterday.

It wasn't hovering but more like holding station in the wind, with wings held close to its body, i.e Peregrine diving position.

It kept swooping down to the ground, but not like a Kestrel dropped, sometimes doing a back flip and then diving like a Peregine -obviously something on the ground that it was fancying.

A bit later, it flew past us and just below, showing its slate grey/blue black as it went past towards some small birds which I think were pipits.

I was half convinced it was a Kestrel showing different hunting methods to what I have seen in over 30 years of watching Kestrels until it flew past and showed the blue grey colour.

The wings were too pointy for a Sparrowhawk.

A possible Peregrine, or Merlin perhaps?

My own thoughts could be it was very hungry young Peregrine that was starting to become a bit desperate for food.

[ChrisJB]

I'm not sure of the size of the bird you saw, but having walked in Borrowdale many times, peregrine is far more likely than merlin and from your description, this is what I'm thinking.

Regards, Chris