I'm inclined to believe this is a kestrel - and I've photographed a kestrel in this area previously, but I was slightly ambivalent when Google ID went straight to Merlin. Merlin ID went to Kestrel with Merlin as the second alternative.
I have photographed a Merlin before, in a different area, which was much more easy to ID as the colour of the back/wings was very grey and the white streak above the eye much more pronounced.
can anybody with more experience confirm?
Kestrel and it's wearing bling - they are territory loyal so if you get a chance again see if you can get a good shot of the leg ring
Cin J
Thanks - that was quick!
This is one of a few photos I took of a Kestrel in the same area a couple of weeks previously, which shows the leg ring better. Do Merlins not have leg rings?
Any birds can have leg rings if people put them there
Thanks - yes I have seen quite a few leg rings on different birds and wondered how they got there when I have difficulty getting close enough to take a photograph?!
Birds of prey tend to be rung as nestlings before they fledge so your bird is from a know and observed nes, for the smaller birds (song birds etc) they tend to be mist netted in certain survey areas. It feeds back lots of information and is a discreet way of tracking. www.bto.org/.../bird-ringing-scheme
Thanks, that's very interesting to know.