Falcon advice please. (1 Viewer)

[David FG]

I saw today, in East Kent (UK) an undoubted falcon. Unfortunately (as is usually the way, I find) I had no camera - or even binoculars, but I am going to ask for advice based on a description.

It was Kestrel-sized and Kestrel in appearance, but it was very dark: the upper-parts charcoal grey, except for the upper surface of the wings which were very dark brown: darker than the usual Kestrel, but not black or dark grey. The underparts were streaked but this was not easily visible because of the generally dark colouration. I didn't see any red anywhere.

The location was on farmland, the bird flew low, slowly across my path then up onto a street lamp on the edge of a field, so I got a reasonable look at it, despite being only with the naked eye.

I know what I WANT it to be, but I am wondering if there are records of aberrant Kestrels that look like this - if there are, I have never seen one, and I am fairly familiar with Kestrels.

 

[Original PaulE]

I saw today, in East Kent (UK) an undoubted falcon. Unfortunately (as is usually the way, I find) I had no camera - or even binoculars, but I am going to ask for advice based on a description.

It was Kestrel-sized and Kestrel in appearance, but it was very dark: the upper-parts charcoal grey, except for the upper surface of the wings which were very dark brown: darker than the usual Kestrel, but not black or dark grey. The underparts were streaked but this was not easily visible because of the generally dark colouration. I didn't see any red anywhere.

The location was on farmland, the bird flew low, slowly across my path then up onto a street lamp on the edge of a field, so I got a reasonable look at it, despite being only with the naked eye.

I know what I WANT it to be, but I am wondering if there are records of aberrant Kestrels that look like this - if there are, I have never seen one, and I am fairly familiar with Kestrels.

possibly juvenile sparrow hawk or hobby?

 

[David FG]

No, neither of those, I am certain of that. It was either an odd Kestrel or what I want it to have been but am trying not to talk myself into.

 

[Original PaulE]

No, neither of those, I am certain of that. It was either an odd Kestrel or what I want it to have been but am trying not to talk myself into.

you sure about the hobby i watched two at minsmere a couple of weeks ago that were very similar to what you described a guy in the hide thought they were probably last years young birds they were very dark with a distinct brown colour about them

 

[deborah4]

You're not thinking Merlin are you David? However - Much smaller than a Kestrel - female v.dark but with barred tail - looks more like Perry in flight

 

[teamsaint]

Juvenile Hobby has no red.

 

[David FG]

I'm actually trying NOT to think Red-footed.

 

[David FG]

I am familiar with Hobbys and Merlins and wouldn't (I don't think) confuse either with a Kestrel

 

[MSA]

There is a very dark kestrel on my local patch at the moment which sounds pretty much as you describe - I would say it was partially melanistic. If it was anything else, the structure or behaviour would stand out. Apart from a few key species and features, plumage in raptors is, in my view, not much use in making IDs - if it looks and acts like a dark Kestrel, odds-on that's what it is!

 

[Original PaulE]

I'm actually trying NOT to think Red-footed.

there is another thread on here i can't remember where abouts where someone thought he had seen a juvenille hobby but on reflection and going back to their notes he thought it might be a juv red footed falcon although he couldnt be sure this suggests the juvenilles of these species look very simillar
i,ve just found the other thread not sure how to attach a link to it however it is by someone called allen in the bird id forum he dosn't say where he saw this bird but gives his location as farnbourgh which i think is in kent be strange if it was the same bird

 

[Original PaulE]

there is another thread on here i can't remember where abouts where someone thought he had seen a juvenille hobby but on reflection and going back to their notes he thought it might be a juv red footed falcon although he couldnt be sure this suggests the juvenilles of these species look very simillar
i,ve just found the other thread not sure how to attach a link to it however it is by someone called allen in the bird id forum he dosn't say where he saw this bird but gives his location as farnbourgh which i think is in kent be strange if it was the same bird

me again just read all the above thread seems bird confirmed as female rf falcon seen in berks

 

[Yernagates]

I'm actually trying NOT to think Red-footed.

I believe red-footed is not unheard of at Stodmarsh -- you must be nearish there..? Never seen them there myself, needless to say. KOS records: http://www.kentos.org.uk/Records/RedFootedFalcon.htm

When I have seen them (not in UK...), the general impression has been very dark all over, with the red legs not too obvious. As I recall they look a good bit smaller and lighter-built than kestrel -- more like a hobby or lesser kestrel in shape. I think it does hover, unlike hobby.

Richard

 

[David FG]

Not too far from Stodmarsh, nearer Sandwich Bay and they have been recorded there, too.

I would be more confident but for the fact that the upper wings were very dark brown.