Mystery falcon (?) in Birmingham, England (1 Viewer)

pigsonthewing

Well-known member

• Nov 15, 2004

• #1

A friend (a novice birder) describes a bird, seen this morning over a semi-rural area of Birmingham:

small falcon, not a Kestrel, long tail, pointed 'v' wings in flight, key key key cry as it was flying (not hovering).
​

Andy ideas, please? I thought it might be a Pergrine, but she thinks it too small.

 

D

Darren Oakley-Martin

________________

• Nov 15, 2004

• #2

Merlin?

 

pigsonthewing

Well-known member

• Nov 15, 2004

• #3

Darrenom said:

Merlin?

Click to expand...

Yes, I wondered about that - and the RSPB site suggests a similar call.

Thanks.

 

KnockerNorton

Well-known member

• Nov 15, 2004

• #4

Size can be hard to judge on a bird overhead - so how about male peregrine?

 

Jane Turner

Well-known member

• Nov 15, 2004

• #5

I'd be wondering why its not a Kestrel I have to say... they don't hover all the time

 

Andrew Rowlands

Well-known member

• Nov 15, 2004

• #6

...or an escape?

Andy.

 

Brian Stone

A Stone chatting

• Nov 15, 2004

• #7

As it was calling at this time of year I'd be inclined to think like Jane that this might after all be a Kestrel. (Edit: or an escape as Andy suggests)

We do very occasionally get Merlins overflying the suburbs here in Peterborough but its unusual and the city is right on the edge of prime fenland wintering habitat where they are regularly sighted. I've never heard a report of one calling around here.

If it certainly is not a Kestrel then Peregrine would be my next best bet. Size really can be very hard to judge.

HTH

 

Jane Turner

Well-known member

• Nov 15, 2004

• #8

It was the long tail that made me think Kestrel.. Peregrine is about as short tailed as a falcon gets

 

KnockerNorton

Well-known member

• Nov 15, 2004

• #9

Then again, why not Sparrowhawk? They can look very pointy-winged when they want to, and the long tail and situation fits better than Merlin. Long tail sounds a lot like Kestrel though, and they are noisy b*ggers sometimes.

 

W.coast Raptor

North Coast Raptor

• Nov 20, 2004

• #10

long tail and " V " wings?

harrier?

 

Conorbirda2

Well-known member

• Nov 20, 2004

• #11

Definately sounds like a kestrel to me. I agree with the long tail view of Jane and the call sounds like Kes. As jane says they dont always hover!
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PJ

 

S

stonefly

New member

• Nov 24, 2004

• #12

I live and work in Birmingham. Good chance it was a peregrine there are often sightings in the city centre, and I saw a couple just the other day flying around the University clock tower.

 

desgreene

Well-known member

• Nov 24, 2004

• #13

Jane Turner said:

I'd be wondering why its not a Kestrel I have to say... they don't hover all the time

Click to expand...

They'd not get far if they always hovered!
I didn't get where I am today by always hovering!!

CJ

B