Hi, I live in on the edge of Cambridge and my garden backs on to allotments, bordering a park which has lots of different trees. Over the last few weeks I have noticed a bird which regularly perches on top of a tall conifer tree. At first I thought it was just a pigeon, but on looking more closely via my little NT binoculars, I think it is a small falcon of some sort, or possibly even an owl. When it flies off, I get the general impression of red-ish brown wings. I suspect that it's a Kestrel, except for the fact I haven't seen it hovering at any point. I generally see it early morning or late pm. I have now borrowed some stronger binoculars, but it still isn't quite near enough for me to identify it clearly. I also wondered if it could possibly be a Merlin, but I don't think they are seen in Cambs are they? Any ideas? Thanks
Are you sure it is a bird of prey, behaviour reads a little like Mistle Thrush. If it is a bird of prey a Sparrowhawk may be more likely in a garden than Kestrel. a juvenile male would have brown wings.
Possibly a Sparrowhawk like this one