I believe the hastily snapped photos attached are a female Goshawk. Is there anyone experienced enough to agree (or disagree) with these magnified silhouettes?
Whilst enjoying an afternoon walk near the River Trent near Nottingham this 'grey monster' casually flew overhead. Gliding some 50m above me it barely flapped it's wings. When overhead the wings (especially the secondaries) looked even broader than they appear in the photos. The bird was bulky with a chunky body. The tail was longer than a Buzzard and I would guess not as long as a Honey Buzzard. I have seen Buzzard as close as this before but not Goshawk. This wasn't a Buzzard. The books say how powerful Goshawk look but my previously quite far off views of them did not compare at all. I was hoping that the pics would show more underside detail but with the eye of faith barring of the underwings is visible.
I cannot think what else it could be.
Richard
Whilst enjoying an afternoon walk near the River Trent near Nottingham this 'grey monster' casually flew overhead. Gliding some 50m above me it barely flapped it's wings. When overhead the wings (especially the secondaries) looked even broader than they appear in the photos. The bird was bulky with a chunky body. The tail was longer than a Buzzard and I would guess not as long as a Honey Buzzard. I have seen Buzzard as close as this before but not Goshawk. This wasn't a Buzzard. The books say how powerful Goshawk look but my previously quite far off views of them did not compare at all. I was hoping that the pics would show more underside detail but with the eye of faith barring of the underwings is visible.
I cannot think what else it could be.
Richard