Unidentified?? Help Please

[ashleycastree]

Hi All,
I saw this from my garden in Hampshire yesterday. Rough Legged Buzzard??
Do they even show themselves in Hampshire (Magnus Magnusson says no anyway!) Any suggestions or definitives would be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks.
Ash.

[ashleycastree]

P.s
SORRY ABOUT THE PIC. HE WAS A LONG WAY AWAY!

[Pigeon feather]

Goshawk perhaps?

[Birdman1976]

My money is also on a Goshawk. Excellant sighting if its confirmed by others

[RKB]

It's a Sparrowhawk - small head projection, square-cornered tail.

[Picidae]

Originally Posted by RKB

It's a Sparrowhawk - small head projection, square-cornered tail.

Agreed.

For anyone still struggling with separating this species, see the diagnostic features mentioned in this thread (and compare photos on links etc)

Goshawk or Sparrowhawk??

[ashleycastree]

Sparrowhawk it is then. Thanks very much indeed.
Ash.

[ashleycastree]

Although after looking at thread from link above it seems confusion can sometimes reign supreme!

[Picidae]

Originally Posted by ashleycastree

Although after looking at thread from link above it seems confusion can sometimes reign supreme!

Yes it's a common confusion species with those not used to seeing both in the field. However, once you see a Goshawk, there's no doubt it's a Gos - they are a very different shape and nearer the size of a Buzzard than a Sparrowhawk. For the uninitiated, plumage features can look very similar, especially at a distance which is why structure is such an important ID tool. Glad this one's been resolved without too much 'yes it is', 'no it isn't'!