2 visits to Ras al Khor 26 and 28/02/2020. Both times a distant Accipiter, poor photos of the one on 28/02/2020 attached. Rufous cheeks and lack of obvious dark wing tips makes me think Common Sparrowhawk, but Shikra (a species I'm not familiar with) is the only one recorded on Ebird at the site and Sparrowhawk apparently not recorded at Ras al Khor, so looking for your thoughts. Thanks. Su
Great record. And thanks Mark for an amazing answer
Hi Su,
This is indeed a Eurasian Sparrowhawk. The rufous cheeks that you have already noted, coupled with the strong barring on the flight feathers and the longer, square-ended tail are diagnostic and eliminate both Shikra (a resident breeder in the Dubai area and becoming established in both Abu Dhabi & Al Ain) and the very rare Northern Goshawk.
Eurasian Sparrowhawk is a regular winter visitor to the UAE and there are 11 previous records from the Ras al-Khor area on eBird: