UK shropshire bird of prey (1 Viewer)

[iamjulian]

Hello, last weekend I was out walking in woods on the Welsh border when I heard a loud call overhead. I large bird of prey passed over. Half an hour later I saw the bird again, and the same noise. I get buzzards over the garden a few miles away so don't think it was that. And although there are red kites in a valley about five miles away, the tail did not look forked. Earlier today I was walking on farmland about a mile from last week's place when I heard the noise again and saw the bird. Has to be a bird of prey as it is pretty big. But the noise is almost like a duck or goose!? Like short series of honks is the best I can describe it. Is there a bird of prey that makes a non typical noise? Only other thing I can think is it is startling another bird. But seems coincidence. Any help much appreciated!

 

[jforgham]

Raven? Here's one showing diamond shaped tail. 2nd photo, red kite. Both taken in East Herts recently
Cheers,
Jono

 

[Dally]

Agree that it sounds like it was a raven.

 

[iamjulian]

Aha. Had not realised they were so big! Looks very possible and sounds the correct right noise. Thank you for educating me.

 

[stevethehydra]

Sounds very similar to the pair of Ravens I saw flying west over Shrewsbury a few years back. They can be very easy to confuse with large birds of prey at a glance due to the deeply "fingered" wings.