Kestrel.

[Greb147 6,809]

8 minutes ago, W. Katchum said:

It more than likely a courting pair of Hobbies then, the male would have been passing food to the female  on the wing. 

I'm not sure if Kessies do the same.

Edited May 10, 2020 by Greb147

[pesky1972 5,634]

4 minutes ago, W. Katchum said:

That’s it. Can’t remember what I had for lunch today, but I remember a picture I saw in a book nearly forty year ago.

Great to see it again, so thanks very much for that

[eastcoast 4,502]

Please see attached probably the worst wildlife photographs that you are ever likely to see. They are of a kestrel. The dot in the sky is the subject being photographed. Seen it today on land that I have walked for 40 odd year. At one time they were so common that would not have warranted a second glance even though I have never been able to walk past one hovering without standing and admiring and hoping that it would drop and raise back up with a mouse or vole. Haven't seen one on this land for a few years.

I do see buzzards now which never existed on this land, during my time, until about 10 year ago. There are also more sparrow hawks around now, both of which I love to see but don't know if these species are a reason why the kestrels seemed to have declined?

There was also barn owls, tawny owls and little owls that I no longer see or hear. The little owls were a strange lot. Had a few close shaves with little owls and my terriers as not only were they on the ground but in the ground. The close shave being saving them.

Anyway, I spotted this kestrel today and wished that I had something more suitable than my my phone to try and photograph it with but got quite a bit closer to it than the pics suggest and thoroughly enjoyed watching it.

[dytkos 17,917]

I can take far worse pics than that mate

Cheers, D.