Advice? : Birds of Prey

Darkstar05

Hi there, first post so be gentle
I know absolutely nothing about birdwatching, so I am here looking for advice.

The reason is: I live out in the sticks, in Limerick. recently, I have noticed in the field next to my garden, two birds of prey, I am not sure what they are, just hovering, and 'flitting' on the breeze.

Occasionaly one will swoop for a small mouse or similar, and then glide high to their 'holding' position. They are fascinating, and beautiful to watch.

I am a keen photographer, and I am waiting for my opportunity to photograph them. As I say I know nothing about birds as such, but I know hawks, and eagles, are probably not common in these parts. So I was thinking perhaps sparrowhawks, or kestrels.

would any of you good people be able to shed some light onto which birds they may be?

They hover almost motionless, just the fluttering of the wings, for minutes, then circle around stop, and swoop when they see some prey.

They are really magnificent, and I would love to know what they are.

Any help advide or comments, are very welcome,

DS05.

Kaldorn

do they wings come to a point or are they like fingers at the end. if its a point it would suggegt a kestrel which is a member of the falcon family.which markings if any are on the belly.kestrels have spots and sparrow hawks have stripes generally

boneless

It sounds like kestrels to me; especially the mouse part!!