Sparrowhawk (was - Bird of Prey ID)

redzerologhlen

Hey, new to this forum so bear with me. I was driving up the road the other day and a bird perched on the wall caught my eye so I stopped and tried to get a pic but it flew off. I think it was some kind of a hawk or falcon but im not sure either. It was brown with a creamy breast and I think there were some orange feathers around the side. Poor description I know but it was definatley a predator and not a bird I have seen up close before. I have often watched up the mountain behind my house what I thought was a pereguine falcon in a dive but this birds feathering seemed different from going through google. Anyway, any help with an id would be much appreciated because I would love to know what it is!!

whyulittle

Have a google of Sparrowhawks and Kestrels. If it was a Buzzard, you probably would have noticed the size.

Rainbowsend

Probably a Kestral

redzerologhlen

It wasnt a kestrel or a buzzard anyway. Could have been a sparrow but didnt have dots on its breast, was pure cream/white any ideas?

whyulittle

Was it near your home where you think you see a Peregrine, or more urban?

redzerologhlen

whyulittle wrote: »

Was it near your home where you think you see a Peregrine, or more urban?

I live in the back arse of nowhere in the burren. I have seen it diving and ciricling a few times. I just assumed thats what it was because of the dives but could be completly wrong.

whyulittle

But the bird on the wall, was that near your house or more urban?

Sparrowhawks would be common in urban areas, and can have a strong orange/salmon colour to the breast.

If it was near the house, where you think you might have a Peregrine - Google shows they have a small bit of white at the top of the breast.

The only thing I can think of that has a full white breast would be a male Hen Harrier, but you wouldn't mistake one of them for anything else!

redzerologhlen

whyulittle wrote: »

But the bird on the wall, was that near your house or more urban?

Sparrowhawks would be common in urban areas, and can have a strong orange/salmon colour to the breast.

If it was near the house, where you think you might have a Peregrine - Google shows they have a small bit of white at the top of the breast.

The only thing I can think of that has a full white breast would be a male Hen Harrier, but you wouldn't mistake one of them for anything else!

No where I saw it was miles from a house not to mind a village. Checked google there and it doesnt look like a hen harrier either. Looking at this picture it was probably a sparrowhawk, are they common?

OpenYourEyes

redzerologhlen wrote: »

No where I saw it was miles from a house not to mind a village. Checked google there and it doesnt look like a hen harrier either. Looking at this picture it was probably a sparrowhawk, are they common?

The most common Bird of Prey in the country apparently!

whyulittle

14,000 pair I think I read somewhere. Can't see it on the BWI page though so don't take it as gospel!

EDIT: Golden Eagle Trust say 11,000.

redzerologhlen

Not too scarce so, Still its not something you see that close everyday and was nice to see. Thanks for your help guys.