ID required, no photo...

[nightowl57]

My Husband, a lorry driver, saw a bird of prey today that he described as the size of a kestrel, perched upon a fence post on the M40. He said the breast of the bird was a peach colour, he said it was definitely a BOP, he said the head was grey, but the rest of the bird was this peachy colour, he couldn't be sure of the wings, he just was amazed at the colour of the breast of the bird. Don't expect too much from this, but wondered if anyone had any ideas.

Many thanks

[faz]

sounds like a male sparrowhawk to me

[Wild-Woman]

Male sparrowhawk?

[Dogghound]

I suspect it was a male kestrel that he saw. Different light can make colours seem different. Sometimes kestrels can appear quite peachy on their undersides.

Another possibility is a male sparrowhawk although these are smaller.

[Johnny81]

I'm going with Male Sparrowhawk too, Kestrel is a good shout though also.

[aeshna5]

Can't discount male Sparrowhawk, but I'd lean towards male Kestrel; especially sitting on a post by a motorway.

[htcdude]

I'm in the Kestrel camp here. If he says just head was noticably grey and rest of body was peachy, then I think this will rule out Sprawk, unless he couldn't see the back of the bird

Nige

[diggleken]

''Amazed at the breast'' (colour) and low down perch - with such a quick view must mean male Sparrowhawk in my view. A nice snapshot of characteristic combined jizz features to help with probable ID.
Show him some pics from the RSPB website to compare.......................
Cheers
Ken

[ChrisJB]

Male kestrel for me too.

Chris

[gatesheadbirder]

I'd go male kestrel - sometimes if there is a low setting sun, the breast can look quite a deep pink colour. Also, location and habit seems right for Kes.