Sparrow Hawk ?

[Chocky]

I think this might be a sparrow hawk. The light was very bad so not a good pic'

[Merlin]

Yes Sparrowhawk Beryl. I brightened up the image which helped to ID the underparts.

Depending on what the bird is doing at the time of the sighting, plus what its flight mode is, the Sparrowhawk and Merlin are difficult to separate. But if the Sparrowhawk is just in leisure flight it has a flap..flap..glide action, whereas the Merlin is always in a dash, but then it can look like a Kestrel. Hard work aren't they?


pete.

[Chocky]

I thought it was. As you say flap flap glide. I thought at first a Kes' , it was so dark. but when I lightened it I thought.hmmm, must be a sparrowhawk. I lightened it up more as well for the markings but it kind of ruined it.
Thanks Pete.I won't be putting it int he bird forum though as it really isn't up toscratch

[Merlin]

My files of pictures contain more 'not up to scratch' than they do 'nice one' so join the club Beryl always remembering you have some excellent pictures and nobody wins them all anyway.


Pete.

[Chocky]

Lol.No. I have a Sparrow Hawk in the forum and it's a real,cracker also in the gallery . I'll make do with that