Merlin? (1 Viewer)

[redshift]

At Vane Farm RSPB Sunday (Loch Leven Scotland). Flew out and landed 10 yards away from the Heron, which was at the same distance and is included to give sense of scale.

What is it?

Grey Head and back, black tail, white on chin and distinct rufous cheek.

Male Merlin?

Please help a struggling learner .....

 

[Darrell Clegg]

Hi Redshift.

This is a Sparrowhawk, and a very nicely marked male it is too.
Darrell

 

[Steve G]

Hi Redshift,
I'm pretty sure this is a male Sparrowhawk.

 

[Geoff Pain]

I'd go along with Sparrowhawk.

 

[redshift]

Ok. Thanks! Looking at the guides I thought the barring on the tail on a Sparrowhawk would be more obvious, but clearly not at that distance .... now I've looked at some photos in the gallery I can see the resemblance. (I'm happy - Sparrowhawk is new to me too!)

 

[Steve G]

Hi Redshift,
I suspect you met Spud. He is a male Sparrowhawk who has taken to hunting over the open ground between the hides at Vane Farm. He uses the embankments leading to the hides as cover -flying low along the Hide tracks then swooping up over onto the boggy areas to nab unsuspecting Meadow Pipits. He has become an increasingly common fixture around the Carden hide for the last 3 months.

 

[very boring banned member]

Falco columbarius would have a hint of moustache. Also there seems to be those Accipiter nisus vertical belly stripes visible. Male by the grey back.

 

[redshift]

Hi Redshift,
I suspect you met Spud. He is a male Sparrowhawk who has taken to hunting over the open ground between the hides at Vane Farm. He uses the embankments leading to the hides as cover -flying low along the Hide tracks then swooping up over onto the boggy areas to nab unsuspecting Meadow Pipits. He has become an increasingly common fixture around the Carden hide for the last 3 months.

Great! Not just a species identification but even his Christian name. Wow! :bounce:

 

[seb_seb]

Actually, I think this one is Sikh