Unfortunately these are the best ones
Thanks all.
Fwiw field Id wasMonties.
I was interested whether the photos alone could be used for positive identification, but it seems they are too poor from the comments here.
All three ringtails are candidates where this was photographed, all would be a very good record in June.
Was hoping Tom might comment as he usually posts on raptor pix...
Mr.p
skbirder said it all, nothing to add
Tricky commenting on photos of this quality, but my impression is of slim-winged harrier with a long hand. On the second image, the white rump looks narrow and rectangular rather than squarish and the tail appears flimsy and pinched. In all the photos the wingtip seems to consist of three rather than four primaries.
Montagu's is indeed the likely bet here, but whether Pallid can safely be excluded is another matter...
Without a clear image of underwing and head pattern, it’s very difficult is it not, to age accurately and therefore separate Pallids from Montagu’s ringtails just on structure from poor photo images? which was the point I was trying to make! It was always going to be either Pallid or Monty so previous comments on structure were a given! (and my post was also in response to the previous IDs of Hen in order to rule that out, which I thought I had but maybe not clear enough in my post? )
Anyway, both your posts directed at me now come across as rather dismissive. There are some very interesting dynamics on the ID forums!