Roadside sighting.

[PeterB]

Driving home this afternoon I saw a large falcon looking bird by the side of the road, sitting on a fence post. There was no way I could stop or turn around as it was a dual carriageway but I got a good look at it and didn't recognise it. I thought Peregrine at the time but since looking at some pics I have decided it was not as the chest was dark grey as was the head.

The one feature I got was the leading edges of the wings, which were folded, formed clean vertical white stripes, which really stood out.

It looked as big as a Kite, or bigger (Although I recognise size is always difficult to judge).

Any other ideas?

[dales birder]

Hey Peter,any chance it was a Common Buzzard,perching on roadside poles sounds like their sort of thing and as you no doubt know they have a very varied plumage.

[PeterB]

No, I know them. We have them around a lot and I can recognise one on a post. This guy was grey, dark head with the vertical white marks.

[Winterkoning]

Possibility Peter

Montagu Harrier or Hen Harrier maybe!! Goshawk Peregrine

[MIKE THROWER]

LARGE FALCON, that was your 1st impression and usually the right one, Have you tried working out where you were habitat ect, that will knock out a few, then maybe young bird with 1st year plumage, eyebrow stripes cuts it down even more, Immature female Goshawk, big female Sparrowhawk, Immature perigrines, Google some images and let us know what you come up with.

[dales birder]

Any chance of it being a falconers bird,they often have hybrids which may be confusing.

[PeterB]

Thanks Guys, I'm going with Male Hen Harrier. It was in open arable countryside. I found some pics which match the look very well. I can't tick it though, my rules of engagement require ID'ing there and then or a pic.

[dales birder]

Hard rules there Pete,male Hen Harrier is a nice bird to see even if you cannot tick it,keep it away from our patch they do not last long up here

[PeterB]

Hen Harriers are being reported locally so it makes sense. I can't tick a bird I drove by at 60mph!!

As for my rules, I don't trust myself to ID birds so all but two of my list are on photo so I can check them at home or get you lot to help. The two are Woodcock and Jack Snipe, the latter being confirmed by the gaggle of people "better than I" at the scene. I regularly flush Woodcock on local walks but I am yet to get one on film.

[Winterkoning]

So pleased for you Peter that it was the Hen Harrier.........nice sighting to end the old year with Well Done