Unknown raptor (falcon of some kind?) - Cairngorms, Scotland (1 Viewer)

[Silvershark]

Firstly, I'm amazed that I remembered my log-on because it has been so long since I've been on these forums! But anyway, stuck with this bird spotted on the way up Glas Maol in the Glenshee area of the Cairngorms and I'm hoping someone can tell me what I saw because I can't make up my mind. Initially I thought it was a kestrel, I think it was around kestrel sized but I had my doubts and had even more doubts when looking at the photos.

Hopefully the photos are attached...

 

[Stephen Dunstan]

Looks like a Peregrine, though they aren't Kestrel sized.

 

[Silvershark]

It could have been bigger, I'm not very good at judging sizes and there was nothing to compare the size too coupled with not great visibility. I thought the wings looked a bit long for a peregrine but there are peregrines around there.

 

[Nutcracker]

Peregrine for me too, and a well-fed one at that, with that bulge on its chest :t:

 

[Silvershark]

Thank you :t: Haven't seen any peregrines recently so maybe I've just became a bit unfamiliar with them! Hope this one stays safe, unfortunately it was in grouse shooting territory

 

[Ratal]

That is the oddest looking wing on a peregrine I've ever seen. In all the years of watching them over Inverness, Aviemore, Loch Ruthven areas, I've never seen such an odd long winged looking bird.

 

[MJB]

It could have been bigger, I'm not very good at judging sizes and there was nothing to compare the size too coupled with not great visibility. I thought the wings looked a bit long for a peregrine but there are peregrines around there.

Lightening the image greatly rather rules out Peregrine... That reddish vent/legs?
MJB

 

[Andy Adcock]

That is the oddest looking wing on a peregrine I've ever seen. In all the years of watching them over Inverness, Aviemore, Loch Ruthven areas, I've never seen such an odd long winged looking bird.

Totally agree


A

 

[dan pointon]

Definitely a peregrine. The reddish vent is actually yellow feet.

 

[KenM]

With those long wings....It looked somewhat Saker-ish?

Cheers

 

[SteveClifton]

Definitely a peregrine. The reddish vent is actually yellow feet.

Agree

 

[Nutcracker]

Definitely a peregrine. The reddish vent is actually yellow feet.

And bloody prey remains? Crop is full, so it has recently been eating.

 

[Silvershark]

And bloody prey remains? Crop is full, so it has recently been eating.

Didn't see anything but the cloud came down shortly after this photo was taking removing any chance of spotting the bird again or seeing anything else. There were four ptarmigan not far away right alongside the path but nothing else spotted.