BoP ID - no picture

thebeard · #1 (**permalink**) 02-06-2010, 10:36 PM

i saw a raptor today which i'm unsure of, unfortunately not got much info as it soon flew too high to get any plumage detail and was a sillouette most of the time

here we go

it was smaller than a carrion crow, as there was one mobbing it for a time, although larger than a kestrel.
it was sort of browny-coloured but couldn't get other distinguishing features. long-ish straight tail.
long wings which pointed backwards at the end
glided very high, not unlike a buzzard.
looked quite ragged

had me stumped. when there's a BoP that i'm not all that used to, i always have trouble identifying. didn;t call as such, but did make annoyed noises while being mobbed - not unlike a heron.

wyvern1 · #2 (**permalink**) 03-06-2010, 08:27 AM

Hi TheBeard,

Naturally, without a pic this is not an easy one. However, your description of the wing shape possibly provides the best clue. The long, scimitar shaped wings are very common amoungst falcons. A fair guess (and it is purely that at this stage) would be something like a Peregrine.
Due to the way they hunt, and assuming you had the same fantastic weather we had in surrey, they use thermals to get high above their prey allowing for their famous stoop onto an unsuspecting pigeon or something. They are smaller than carrion crows but tend to be a touch larger than a Kestrel.
Sorry I cannot be more precise but I figure it a reasonable bet.

Picidae · #3 (**permalink**) 03-06-2010, 09:26 AM

I agree with suggestion of Peregrine. The call you describe ie. comparing to a Heron, is reminiscent of the hoarse kraack of a Peregrine being mobbed. They will readily make this call near to their nest sites if an intruder is present. Hobbies tend to have a more whistle type yelp with descending notes when alarming.

thebeard · #4 (**permalink**) 03-06-2010, 09:52 AM

hmm, it could have been yes, like i say i couldn't really get any features, but it seemed a bit brown for a peregrine, but i can't think what else it might be.

i had the same problem a few weeks ago, when i saw a large raptor over bestwood country park, too high to get any real features. I thought it might have been a ringtail hen harrier, as there had been one sighted locally recently, but it has been suggested that it was more likely a honey buzzard. that would be nice, but i'm not going to 'count' it as i wasn't 100% at all!

cheers folks!

wyvern1 · #5 (**permalink**) 03-06-2010, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thebeard

hmm, it could have been yes, like i say i couldn't really get any features, but it seemed a bit brown for a peregrine, but i can't think what else it might be.

i had the same problem a few weeks ago, when i saw a large raptor over bestwood country park, too high to get any real features. I thought it might have been a ringtail hen harrier, as there had been one sighted locally recently, but it has been suggested that it was more likely a honey buzzard. that would be nice, but i'm not going to 'count' it as i wasn't 100% at all!

cheers folks!

I must say I would be very surprised if it were a Honey Buzzard as they are very rarely seen in the UK.
Size wise you would be in the right zone but the wing shape is slightly off.
The Hen Harrier, from the little experience I have of them, is far more akin in it's lifestyle and methodology to the Hobby, a darting and aerobatic flyer as opposed to a soaring flight.
If it was a Honey Buzzard I am now a very jealous man!!

thebeard · #6 (**permalink**) 03-06-2010, 02:14 PM

well it was what was suggested by someone else, and the closest i can get. there had been one sighted nearby that week too.

wyvern1 · #7 (**permalink**) 03-06-2010, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thebeard

well it was what was suggested by someone else, and the closest i can get. there had been one sighted nearby that week too.

Apologies if it sounded like I was suggesting there was no way it could be a Honey Buzzard or Hen Harrier.
All I was suggesting is that the description you gave didn't quite fit my knowledge of these birds. However, there are far more knowledgable peopple out there than I and if someone can offer some further insight I too would be most grateful.

thebeard · #8 (**permalink**) 03-06-2010, 07:53 PM

don't woory wasn't inferring that, just adding more to the story!

Fieldfare95 · #9 (**permalink**) 04-06-2010, 10:24 AM

The long straight tail reminds me of a sparrowhawk. When you say that the wings were bent back at the end do you mean the whole second half of the wing or the very last feathers?

Fieldfare