Birds of prey, Scottish Borders (1 Viewer)

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TomMalcC

Well-known member

• Apr 15, 2018

• #1

Saw two of the attached birds in the Borders hills - about 35km south of Edinburgh. They seemed to be playing in the air with each other. Size-wise they were kestrel size, maybe slightly bigger. Any ideas what they may be?

 

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tconzemi

Tom

Supporter

• Apr 15, 2018

• #2

I very much doubt they were bigger than Common Kestrel

 

E

Earnest lad

Well-known member

• Apr 15, 2018

• #3

I don't suppose they could have been Merlin could they?

 

alan_rymer

Well-known member

• Apr 15, 2018

• #4

The bill in the first picture looks straight!
Cuckoo?

 

RafaelMatias

Unknown member

• Apr 15, 2018

• #5

They're Common Kestrels, as Tom was hinting in his post.

 

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TomMalcC

Well-known member

• Apr 16, 2018

• #6

Thanks for the thoughts so far. I have heard reports of both merlins and peregrines in this area - could either of these be ruled in or out? Does the playful behaviour and very erratic 'darting' flight patterns of both birds give any clues?

 

Larry Sweetland

Formerly 'Larry Wheatland'

• Apr 16, 2018

• #7

The length of the tail rules out Merlin and Peregrine

 

RafaelMatias

Unknown member

• Apr 16, 2018

• #8

TomMalcC said:

I have heard reports of both merlins and peregrines in this area - could either of these be ruled in or out?

Click to expand...

Yes, they can be ruled out.