Kestrel/Sparrowhawk?

[Deb London]

Hi Guys,

Quick question. I often see Kestrels as they breed near where I work in London. Just seen a BOP flying at about 5 storeys above ground (no idea in meters), level flight, with a FLAP-FLAP-FLAP-gliiiiiide-FLAP-FLAP-FLAP-gliiiiide pattern. So I expect to see a Kestrel, but it flies like a Sparrowhawk. No bins, no monocular, didn't get the best look. Just the pattern of flight. Do Kestrels ever fly like this?

Thanks.

[nige]

Sparrow hawks are often seen above towns so why not they love to soar high particularly on clear blue sky days probably enjoying the thermals the building have to offer, i have also seen many adapt this using it to Hunt by going into a stoop much like a peregrine only not as spectacular

[htcdude]

This might sound a bit silly, but I've often seen what i thought may be a Kestrel, turns out ot be a Wood-Pigeon. The flap-flap-flap glide pattern you talk about is part of it's display.

Nige

[RoyW]

It's difficult to say from a brief description of the flight...

Kestrels will sometimes interperse gliding with flapping flight while moving around but it doesn't look quite the same as Sparrowhawk (I'm not even gong to try and explain in what way though!). I would think that it is perhaps more likely that your bird was a Sparrowhawk, but you're the only person in the position to say!

[Acipiter]

Originally Posted by htcdude

This might sound a bit silly, but I've often seen what i thought may be a Kestrel, turns out ot be a Wood-Pigeon. The flap-flap-flap glide pattern you talk about is part of it's display.

Nige

Do not worry about it, Bill Oddie said something similar once.

[Deb London]

Thanks all very much. OK, so Kestrels do do this (but differently ). That gives me a start.

NIGE! What are you like? LOL. My Woodpigeon ID skills are reasonable. It wasn't a blooming Woodpigeon.

[Acipiter]

Originally Posted by Deb London

Thanks all very much. OK, so Kestrels do do this (but differently ). That gives me a start.

NIGE! What are you like? LOL. My Woodpigeon ID skills are reasonable. It wasn't a blooming Woodpigeon.

What's a blooming woodpigeon then Debs

[htcdude]

Originally Posted by Acipiter

What's a blooming woodpigeon then Debs

It's one that sprouts flowers as it beats it's wings Only does it in Spring though

[Acipiter]

I will keep a look out, must be"very rare". or is it too late, now its summer

[RoyW]

Originally Posted by Deb London

OK, so Kestrels do do this (but differently ). That gives me a start.

With Kestrels flapping flight interspersed with glides tends to be more when they aren't really trying to get anywhere and are just 'lazily' drifting around. (eg. the bird hunting insects at about 45 seconds in this youtube video: YouTube - The Kestrel ).

If your bird was actively going somewhere it was more likely to have been a Sparrowhawk.