Hi David. It's a male Sparrowhawk. :-)
"Accept that some days you are the pigeon, and some days you are the statue."
Thanks - just googled Male Sparrowhawk, and you are right :)
In reply to David Plein:
Hi David. All European falcons have dark eyes which is a useful clue when sorting out birds of prey. In the UK Merlins have, so far, tended to avoid urban areas and remain our rarest breeding falcon. This time of year nearly all will have returned to their moorland breeding sites.
JBNTS
Every day a little more irate about bird of prey persecution, and I have a cat - Got a problem with that?
In reply to John B (not the sloop):
both sparrowhawks and collared doves are doing well in Greater London. Thankfully it wasn't feasting on one of our declining or threatened species such as house sparrow, blackbird or starling. If you're looking out for birds in your garden, you should soon swifts. They've been spotted crossing the channel but I haven't yet had any confirmation of them arriving in London - www.rspb.org.uk/london
In reply to Tim Webb:
Merlin for comparison (January 2009)
My gallery here
Checkout the forums' Community HOMEPAGE for lots of interesting posts from other members.
In reply to Galatas:
Incidentally a male Merlin was seen at the Lodge the other day.
In reply to Sunrider:
Hopefully most Merlins are out on the moors on breeding territories at this time,although we did have a male chasing the linnets on a nearby lowland reserve last week.
Pete
Birding is for everyone no matter how good or bad we are at it,enjoy it while you can
My Flickr photos