Kestrels in Ipswich?

[Crested Newt]

Is there an established population of Kestrels in Ipswich , because at 2.20pm i was birdwatching and I saw a Kestrel hovering then move and then hover again across an open plain of grass. I nkow they are very common around Manningtree but what about Ipswich?

[leon-b]

i saw a bird of prey hovering the other day in shotley, not sure what it was as my bird ID is rubbish lol but it was hovering and not much bigger than a pidgeon

[Crested Newt]

I imagine thats a Kestrel by the way you mean Shotley close?

[leon-b]

cool, what do you mean by shotley close ?
leon

[Gill Catton]

The kestrel is the only bird of prey that properly hovers, others like harriers and buzzards come close but they're obviously bigger and don't manage that motionless yet whirring thing the kestrel can do

[leon-b]

the bird i saw hovered for a long time must have been a kestrel then
leon

[aeshna5]

They are a familiar site as you travel down motorways + major roads as they seek small rodents in the long grass/herbage. Their old country name is Windhover!

Sadly they're not doing as well as they used to, but still a common species + always a delight to watch.