bThank you to everyone for your kind help with my recent queries of Skye and Lunigiana raptors. Phil's contribution, "The fine barring throughout the tail rules out RLB" should prove useful. And alula ~ it is fascinating to begin seeing under the feathers.
Really pleased to know there was a Peregrine in the valley earlier this year, and to have your comments so that I can recognize one if there is the chance this winter. I think there is a Merlin about, and today I startled a warm honey-coloured raptor with dark wingtips (only saw its uppers as it took off from near the house, either from a post or from the field), almost or as large as a buzzard. Probably a CB, but not one of the ones I've been seeing regularly. Also yesterday, I was surprised to hear what sounded like that 'ock ock' of STEs. It is unseasonably warm so far this October, making the small birds very active around the house and thus attracting birds of prey.
On the subject of smaller raptors, I saw recently on BF mention of black vs. pale claws on Kestrel and Lesser Kestrel. A friend sent photos (1 & 2 below) early July, saying these were Kestrel chicks (Le Lot, France), are they? There were three chicks and one had been turfed out of the nest by the time he took the photos. Super black claws! F. tinnunculus?
Late August this year, the Hobby in the valley disappeared, and in its place was a different small raptor I never managed to photograph as it sped past (I never saw it hover). I think it is this one that came to perch on the electric pile-on, and did its toilet fastidiously for many minutes (3, 4, 5). Is it a Kestrel?
Really pleased to know there was a Peregrine in the valley earlier this year, and to have your comments so that I can recognize one if there is the chance this winter. I think there is a Merlin about, and today I startled a warm honey-coloured raptor with dark wingtips (only saw its uppers as it took off from near the house, either from a post or from the field), almost or as large as a buzzard. Probably a CB, but not one of the ones I've been seeing regularly. Also yesterday, I was surprised to hear what sounded like that 'ock ock' of STEs. It is unseasonably warm so far this October, making the small birds very active around the house and thus attracting birds of prey.
On the subject of smaller raptors, I saw recently on BF mention of black vs. pale claws on Kestrel and Lesser Kestrel. A friend sent photos (1 & 2 below) early July, saying these were Kestrel chicks (Le Lot, France), are they? There were three chicks and one had been turfed out of the nest by the time he took the photos. Super black claws! F. tinnunculus?
Late August this year, the Hobby in the valley disappeared, and in its place was a different small raptor I never managed to photograph as it sped past (I never saw it hover). I think it is this one that came to perch on the electric pile-on, and did its toilet fastidiously for many minutes (3, 4, 5). Is it a Kestrel?
