Is this a Merlin or some other Kestrel variant?

Given where you are I would take a look at Lesser Kestrel - Falco naumanni female

The single terminal black band on the tail rules out Merlin and in the UK would point to Kestrel. I know nothing about lesser Kestrel and where you live so it may be that Lesser Kestrel fits the bill - but certainly not a Merlin.

**LINK BOCKED**birdspot.co.uk/.../lesser-kestrel

If you just copy below into your browser a think that's the only way the link works for now

birdspot.co.uk/.../lesser-kestrel

Post edit...it blocks the post with the www part on it ! But hey  it all runs smoothly ;-)

Have removed that instruction Linda, works ok for me but not everyone I see ... yours works fine and demonstrates that we can post links, they just look different!

Och we will work it out Wendy....we always do ;-)

I'm only on my phone but I think it's a female or immature Common Kestrel. If you look closely the claws are black which Common Kestrels have. The claws on Lesser Kestrels are pale. Hope I'm right.

I think you're right TJ!

Yes, you are right TJ - black claws - I didn't look closely enough

Thanks all. I live in Chislehurst