raptor id?

pet · #1 (**permalink**) 18-07-2006, 04:56 PM

Hello all, just enjoying an ale in the garden after a good baking at work when i saw a bird i've not seen overhead before, sorry no pics as i'm yet to join the digital age so heres as good a description i can give. I can only give a description of the underside. It apeared to be all white apart from the tail that looked pale brown with waves across it, think it was about wood pigeon size (a lot more aerodynamic) def a bird of prey, it hardly beat a wing as it glided over, any ideas much appreciated??

Gaina · #2 (**permalink**) 18-07-2006, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pet

Hello all, just enjoying an ale in the garden after a good baking at work when i saw a bird i've not seen overhead before, sorry no pics as i'm yet to join the digital age so heres as good a description i can give. I can only give a description of the underside. It apeared to be all white apart from the tail that looked pale brown with waves across it, think it was about wood pigeon size (a lot more aerodynamic) def a bird of prey, it hardly beat a wing as it glided over, any ideas much appreciated??

Hi

. Where the wings rounded or slim? What was his body like - sleek or plump and 'Owl-ish?'.

Oy · #3 (**permalink**) 18-07-2006, 04:59 PM

Sounds Sparrowhawk-ish.

Wild-Woman · #4 (**permalink**) 18-07-2006, 05:04 PM

Yeah I'd agree with Oy. Size sounds right and they are fairly common.ww

Lincs Yellowbelly · #5 (**permalink**) 18-07-2006, 05:11 PM

The banding on the tail sounds like a Sparrowhawk to me

pet · #6 (**permalink**) 18-07-2006, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gaina

Hi

. Where the wings rounded or slim? What was his body like - sleek or plump and 'Owl-ish?'.

The wings were pointy at the tip and the body very sleek, i admit to not knowing lots on birds but i can say it was'nt owl like, i can identify a Kestrel and a Buzzard in flight but this was niether. Thanks to all i'm of to rummage google for Sparrowhawk pics, i will let you know if it is indeed a Sparrowhawk

pet · #7 (**permalink**) 18-07-2006, 06:24 PM

I congratulate you and thank you, after suggesting sparrowhawks i checked out some such sites and straight away could see a positive id. Well happy to have such a resident living close by. And thats another personal puzzle solved thanks to wab and its inhabitants. Thanks, Pete.