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Bird of Prey ID in Spain (1 Viewer)

Pete V

New member
Can anybody help an old but not too good birder? I was in Spain last week and was on the coast just up from Benidorm. As I peered over the edge of the high cliffs I saw a sandy coloured bird that was the size and approx shape of a Peregrine. It was patrolling along the cliff before disappearing. Give me a clue someone!!!
 
Escaped Lanner or Saker? That's what I'd be thinking if it was here, anyway (and have seen them a couple of times)

PS welcome to Birdforum!
 
Hi Pete

Lanners moult early and might be fairly advanced/adult like now so not really sandy... Saker is unlikely too. I'm trying the commoner stuff first...

any chance it wasn't a Kestrel?

or maybe not a raptor at all?

Tim
 
Tim Allwood said:
Hi Pete

Lanners moult early and might be fairly advanced/adult like now so not really sandy... Saker is unlikely too. I'm trying the commoner stuff first...

any chance it wasn't a Kestrel?

or maybe not a raptor at all?

Tim
Hi Tim,
Thanks for the reply. It wasn't a Kestrel and it was a raptor. I had it in my binos for the short time and could see it's beak. I've trawled through my small library of bird books and have failed to get any ideas. Quoting from my pocket guide it had a "arrow shaped gliding profile"
Pete
 
Nutcracker said:
Escaped Lanner or Saker? That's what I'd be thinking if it was here, anyway (and have seen them a couple of times)

PS welcome to Birdforum!

Ta for the reply. I'll have to do more searching to see the birds you suggest. Thanks for the welcome.
Pete
 
Nutcracker said:
Escaped Lanner or Saker? That's what I'd be thinking if it was here, anyway (and have seen them a couple of times)

PS welcome to Birdforum!

Hi All
Don't be too quick to say Lanner/Saker are going to be escaped from this part of the world, very rare but also very possibly gen as well. El Hondo had a report of a Lanner about 6 weeks ago that seemed ok according to the observers. That bird could be still around but to be fair the desciption Pete has given (no offence) is minimal at best and really no definitive answer could be given. I have a vested interest in this as I live just north of Benidorm and would be grateful to know more details of the sighting, if you don't mind Pete.
 
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