Raptor, East Sussex, UK. (2 Viewers)

[punkskaphil]

Hi all, this raptor floated high overhead today when I was out birding at Old Lodge on Ashdown Forest, East Sussex. Against a bright sky I only saw it in silhouette and assumed it was a Common Buzzard, but now I've got the image on my computer and lightened it I'm now unsure of the ID. My thinking is now more towards juvenile Honey Buzzard, but I don't have much experience of seeing them in the field so I'm not at all confident. Any help will be gratefully received. Thanks in advance.

 

[tconzemi]

Check juvenile Goshawk

 

[punkskaphil]

Check juvenile Goshawk

Thanks for the suggestion. I had considered that too but I wasn't sure the head looked quite right, but I don't think I've ever encountered juv. Goshawk before either so you could be right.

 

[Richard Prior]

Thanks for the suggestion. I had considered that too but I wasn't sure the head looked quite right, but I don't think I've ever encountered juv. Goshawk before either so you could be right.

He is right ! They certainly are mean looking brutes ( especially if you’re a pigeon or crow ).

 

[Ratal]

Brown barring and stripes.

Juvenile Goshawk.