small al ain raptor

[daveclark]

in the ghaf trees behind the compost plant - smaller than a kestrel and very wary - hiding deep in the ghafs then taking off fast - the photos are poor as it was immeadiately far away - thanks - dave
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[jsi]

Looks like a classic Accipiter to me . . . . though I've not seen one here yet, I'd put it down as an immature Eurasian Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus). Short, choppy wingbeats interspersed with brief periods of gliding? I'll be interested to see what those wiser than I think . . . .

John

[MarkS]

John might not be right about the "wiser" bit, but he's right about the ID - Sparrowhawk. Based on Dave's description of size, probably a young male.

[daveclark]

thanks John and Mark - only had fleeting views of it - cheers dave