Bird of prey - Lincoln, UK (1 Viewer)

[PW42]

A foray into a new section of Birdforum for me!

Seen from a hotel window about 2 miles East of Lincoln. Bird of prey perched on a dead tree, buzzard sized. Really only seen from behind - slate grey back with a jet black tail (no barring visible) and tipped in white. Rufus brown patch on the folded upper wing. Yellow legs. From a brief glimpse of the light coloured head - a hooked bill. When it took off into the next door tree (where it could not be seen) it showed very pale, maybe white, underparts. I had quite a good view through binoculars but sadly did not have my camera to hand. I did get an appalling phone picture which I have attached for what it is worth (not a lot).

I have had a number of suggestions including Honey buzzard. Any thoughts?

 

[KenM]

I’m getting an impression of a grey-ish head sitting on a brownish back, with a possible tail that’s slightly “skewed” with a branch poking through at the top and a possible fork at the end…..anyone for Red Kite?

 

[PW42]

I’m getting an impression of a grey-ish head sitting on a brownish back, with a possible tail that’s slightly “skewed” with a branch poking through at the top and a possible fork at the end…..anyone for Red Kite?

Many thanks for your reply. We have a lot of red kites around here including 2 based across the road from my office window so I am absolutely confident (a rare event for me) that it is not a red kite. I wish I had had my "proper" camera to hand at the time to get a decent photo!

 

[KenM]

I wish I had had my "proper" camera to hand at the time to get a decent photo!

Ahh! yes PW…..a road I’ve been down many times afore…..👍

 

[Steve Lister]

How about a Harris's Hawk?

The rufous wing patch, and what looks like a white tail bar on the photo.

 

[Jinac]

Your description could be a female marsh harrier for me

 

[PW42]

Thank you for your suggestions. I think Steve Lister's idea of a Harris's Hawk is spot on. Having been reviewing Google images, that is definitely what I saw (I had the advantages of binoculars as opposed to a tiny photo!). Presumably an escapee. It also explains why I was so puzzled as, for obvious reasons, it does not appear in any of my bird books.

 

[Steve Lister]

A common falconer's bird, and a fair few get lost.

 

[KenM]

A common falconer's bird, and a fair few get lost.

The mind might boggle as to how many must escape, I’ve come across two in c20 odd years!

 

[tconzemi]

Sorry to disagree but there is nothing here to come to any conclusion. Both white spots on the tail might be artefacts due to branches and the upper one is not at the right place for upper tail coverts. The chestnut spot on the shoulder can be an autumn leaf and the bird either a Common Buzzard, a Honey Bussard, a Harris Hawk or something else.
Just my opinion.

 

[Valéry Schollaert]

FWIW I agree on Harris's Hawk

 

[Jinac]

I think PW42 valid the ID basing on his remembers and not in the picture

 

[PW42]

I think PW42 valid the ID basing on his remembers and not in the picture

Correct - which was based on a good view through binoculars. Interestingly I have since discovered there are apparently other sightings reported on Facebook in the same village. So I think the identification is now fairly certain.

 

[TheBlackGrouse]

Am I the only one who sees another bird in the background, very close to the hawk, on the left? It has the appearance of a huge Mistle Thrush. The size could be a tele artefact. Or is this a case of rabbit-duck illusion?

 

[Valéry Schollaert]

Am I the only one who sees another bird in the background, very close to the hawk, on the left? It has the appearance of a huge Mistle Thrush. The size could be a tele artefact. Or is this a case of rabbit-duck illusion?

it is not a bird, I think it is obvious if you unzoom...

 

[TheBlackGrouse]

it is not a bird, I think it is obvious if you unzoom...

Funny, unzoom and yes, it's obvious.

Quite impressive head though, when you zoom in