[Johnny Brown]

Definitely not an owl. Long eared owls are unmistakeable. They have heavier bodies and quite braod (though long) wings. They also have obvious 'owl' faces. This was a quick flying bird, changing direction rapidly. Thin long wings, thin long body and squarish tail. It also had a small head. Darting in and out of the woods at mid-tree height. Skirting round the edges mostly, and quickly charging in and out. Speckled white and brown plumage.

They sound like Kestrels to me, maybe Sparrowhawks. Harriers and Owls have quite similar flight, far from being unmistakeable, if I see a floaty long-winged bird quartering a moor at distance it can be a hard job separating a Harrier from a Short-eared. Harrier heads are big, and their faces are usually described as 'owlish'.

[gardinrm]

I've seen both before, and I am sure I can tell the difference. I should have said "smaller head". It didn't have that blunt face of a long eared owl. And it wasn't a kestrel nor a Sparrowhawk, much too big.

I am actually very familiar with birds, having spent most of my youth birdwatching with my brother and father in Scotland. I have seen Hen Harriers before (more than once, they were not that unusual in the North of Scotland) and am fairly certain that's what these were. Maybe I should have just said so at the start.lol.



This is exactly the behaviour I saw.

[gardinrm]

but I also appreciate that this would be highly unlikely since they are so endangered. Long eared owl is the only other thing that could come close (behaviour, flying pattern, size etc) but I don't think that's what they were. Wish I'd had my binocs.

[andy_e]

Goshawk?

[gardinrm]

Not a goshawk. Wrong shape. They're a bit more solid I think.

[SA Chris]

Not a goshawk. Wrong shape. They're a bit more solid I think.

Less solid - ghosthawk?

[Falling Down]

peewits are so cool

Yeah. There's a magical chapter in Robert Grave's "The White Goddess" on the lapwing/peewit.  Worth seeking out...

[Shabar]

99.9% sure I saw a merlin at Burbage bridge this morning. Had a quick look on RSPB site and youtube videos when I got in and I'm pretty convinced. I was in the car but stopped when I saw it. It dashed into the road, back over some heather and then crossed the road in front of me before shooting off towards the Cowperstone. The .1% uncertainty is because a) I'd not seen one before b) I understood them to be pretty shy and restricted to wilder areas such as Bleaklow etc, and Burbage bridge seemed a little unlikely. I guess it could be on its way to coastal wintering habitat? Anyhow, look out for it if you're up there. Smaller than a kestrel, low dashing flight, the male (which I saw) has a dark blue/grey back. If anyone else has seen one in the vicinity it would be good to know, if only to eliminate the .1%!

[andy popp]

I'm sure this is pretty routine but yesterday watched from close quarters as a heron took a fish. It was fascinating to watch.

[tomtom]

I'm sure this is pretty routine but yesterday watched from close quarters as a heron took a fish. It was fascinating to watch.

Is this commentary on the US presidential debate?

[SA Chris]

Only if it was a goldfish.

[andy_e]

I'm sure this is pretty routine

I hope so for the sake of all ardeidae.

[Johnny Brown]

99.9% sure I saw a merlin at Burbage bridge this morning. Had a quick look on RSPB site and youtube videos when I got in and I'm pretty convinced. I was in the car but stopped when I saw it. It dashed into the road, back over some heather and then crossed the road in front of me before shooting off towards the Cowperstone. The .1% uncertainty is because a) I'd not seen one before b) I understood them to be pretty shy and restricted to wilder areas such as Bleaklow etc, and Burbage bridge seemed a little unlikely. I guess it could be on its way to coastal wintering habitat? Anyhow, look out for it if you're up there. Smaller than a kestrel, low dashing flight, the male (which I saw) has a dark blue/grey back. If anyone else has seen one in the vicinity it would be good to know, if only to eliminate the .1%!

Sounds exactly right, I've had a couple of sightings very similar to that, one was just up the road from yours. They used to nest very close to Burbage bridge but haven't in the last few seasons afaik. Knowing they were there didn't help me see them though, amazingly elusive.

[Shabar]

Thanks JB that's good to know. Tempted to post in the YYFY thread I'm that pleased to have finally seen one!

[sidewinder]

Thanks JB that's good to know. Tempted to post in the YYFY thread I'm that pleased to have finally seen one!

Was walking near foxhouse on Sunday and also saw what I now (in part as a result of this thread) believe likely to have a been a male Merlin. Blue on top more solid brown underneath than a sparrowhawk?

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[tlr]

Just had 6 short days in Australia, with a couple of walks to look for foreign creatures:

Nankeen Kestrel

IMG_6839 by Tim Russon, on Flickr

Tawny Frogmouth

IMG_6921 by Tim Russon, on Flickr

Silver Gull

IMG_6993 by Tim Russon, on Flickr

Australian Hobby

IMG_7265 by Tim Russon, on Flickr

Scarlet Robin

IMG_7035 by Tim Russon, on Flickr

And of course...

IMG_7075 by Tim Russon, on Flickr

[SA Chris]

Fuck me they are great, especially the Frogmouth.

[Muenchener]

Saw a wallcreeper whilst out for a walk in the rain in the Dolomites this afternoon. Pretty little thing with spectacular red wings.

[Fultonius]

Nice one Muench - they're a rare sight and quiet nice to watch flying.

[lagerstarfish01]

Just seen a dipper in Sheffield City centre. Nobody else at work is interested.

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[SA Chris]

Sherbert dipper?

I love a good dipper. Up there with tree creepers as best bird named after what they do.

[andy_e]

Flycatchers should be on your list too.

[Nutty]

And wagtails.

[fatneck]

Good spot Lagers, your colleagues must be heathens...

Up there with tree creepers as best bird named after what they do

And Woodpeckers!

Speaking of urban bird spots, I've seen two buzzards and a sparrowhawk in the local park this week! Buzzards getting mobbed by crows and the Sparrowhawk by Long-Tailed tits (which, incidentally, there seem to be a glut of this year).

Also a first for me, saw a flock of Knot flashing above the iron men, cranes and sand of Crosby beach last weekend. Lovely sight...

[SA Chris]

cranes

Rare migrants, good spotting!