What is this mystery bird of prey?

[Emma2011]

Hi all

I live by the solent in Southampton and my house backs onto extensive farmland, very few people are seen there but I go running along the tracks that pass through it about 4 days per week.

On two occasions in the past week I have seen a very large bird of prey fly directly over my head. It always come to rest a few metres ahead on large bushes, where it perches on top. It always sits on very low trees or large bushes.

It is always alone and has a very short shrill cry.

It has a redish brown belly. It's wing span is a good metre. I have never seen fingers on the ends of its wings and have not managed to get a good look at its tail. It could have a grey colour to it but it's hard to see with the sun in the way.

I have been close enough to see the shape of it's head and beak, and it almost looks vulture like.

We have Buzzards constantly circling directly in front of the house. They always hang in groups of 3 and they are smaller, their cry is different as well. It is definitely not a Buzzard.

I have gone though bird books and various websites and it is making me crazy trying to figure out what it is.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks

Emma

[Dogghound]

Red Kite?

[tigertom]

A red kite is a possibility have seen its tail has it got a fork in it?
MIKE
and welcome to WAB

[Emma2011]

Yes someone else said it may be a Red Kite. But looking at the books it is not the right area for it. Do they not frequent Northern England more so?

I am right by the water down South. No cliffs. Just extensive farmland backing onto the beach at the top of the solent.

The first time I saw it it looked all grey, but that must have been the light as today it's belly was redish brown in a different light.

It always stays low to the ground and when I run in it's direction it only ever bothers to move ahead by two large bushes at a time to settle and then take flight again.

I really must go running with binoculars!

:-)

[Emma2011]

P.s: thanks for the welcome :-)

[KentYeti]

Emma, Red Kites are spreading! There is a hot spot for them in the Chilterns in Oxfordshire, and I am reading/hearing of sightings out into mid and even East Kent from time to time. So it would be no surprise to hear they have reached down to where you are.

I envy you. I haven't seen one in Kent yet. But am hopeful of doing so before too long.

Bryan

PS. My welcome to you as well.

[tigertom]

Red kites are now seen in many parts of Britain, next time you are out running can you take a camera along as well see if you can get a pic off the bird and post it one hear
MIKE

[Shrike]

Originally Posted by tigertom

Red kites are now seen in many parts of Britain, next time you are out running can you take a camera along as well see if you can get a pic off the bird and post it one hear
MIKE

you could always strap your bins to one ankle and camera to another and use them as leg weights

[Emma2011]

Hi Bryan (Yeti) :-) lol

Is it so that the fingers on the ends of the wings only extend when it is soaring?

This is just me trying to be logical....

This is the only possible explanation that I can think of as to why when it flies over my head and infront of my that it's wings are pointed.

Emma

[Emma2011]

Do you know what it would definitely be worth it :-)

The birds on my doorstep are incredible!

There is a herrongull (if that's how you spell it) that hangs around the fields here too, I have only seen it twice early summer, incredible.

The buzzards cries brings me to the balcony daily, such a beautiful sound, they are so close to me too, sometimes they fly right over head, always in 3's.

There are other birds I can hear too in the marshes as I'm running, sounds I have never heard before, but I can never see them as the bushes along the path are too thick and conceal them...