help with identity

[flojo]

Hi all, I was wondering if anyone can help me to identify a bird, I live in the south ( New forest ) and that is where I saw this bird, it was not very close unfortunately, I would say it was about the size of a Jackdaw, it was flying around and landing on electricity pilons (sp?) it was a plain russet brown, I could not see any other colouring on it and I could not see a beak shape, not much info to go i'm afraid but anyone got any ideas?....... I have not seen one before and it was not a sparrow hawk, it was quite a slender shape

[Za]

Hi flojo, welcome to WAB, kestrels are fond of electricity pylons, often nesting on them and are mainly brown, have a look in the Gallery and check out some pictures of them.
Za

[flojo]

Thank you for your reply, definately not a kestral, it was very different in the wing, as in it was a smooth pointed outline, any other ideas?

[Za]

Deer Stalker may be along later, he lives in the New Forest and would probably have a better idea of whats around there at the moment that could fit the description.
Za

[htcdude]

Originally Posted by flojo

pilons (sp?)

Pylons

Originally Posted by flojo

it was a plain russet brown, I could not see any other colouring on it and I could not see a beak shape, not much info to go i'm afraid but anyone got any ideas?....... I have not seen one before and it was not a sparrow hawk, it was quite a slender shape

Only 3 I can think it would be given the size you gave:

Kestrel - which you say it isn't, but matches the colour

female Sparrowhawk - Have you looked at female? They are brown.

Merlin - quite small, smaller than a Kestrel (males are slightly bigger than Blackbirds)

Can't think what else it would be raptor wise. Sitting on pylons it is probably unlikely to be a Jay.

Nige

[flojo]

Hi, thanks for the spelling, I put that first and thought it didn't look right

I am pretty sure it wasn't a bird of prey but could be wrong, definately not a Jay although we seem to have loads here at the moment