[Bramblecot]

This little beauty was enjoying the sun perched on the fence rail for 1/2 hour this morning.  Is she a sparrow hawk?  She only flew away when OH got too close.

[Bramblecot]

Sorry, I meant to say female kestrel, not sparrowhawk .  Dark eye, no yellow.

[Fleecewife]

I don't think it's a bird of prey with that small beak.  She also doesn't look very well from the way she's sitting and the half closed eye.  But I have to admit I'm not all that expert at identifying birds of prey one from the other. I'm sure someone else will know.

[nutterly_uts]

Nightjar?

[deepblue]

I think it may be a nightjar

[Louise Gaunt]

My first thought was also night jar.

[devonlady]

Yes, it's a nightjar. You are so lucky to see it so closely!!

[Bramblecot]

Thank you all.  Never seen a nightjar so I'll go and read up on them
It was a very warm morning and she almost looked asleep - until OH moved near her.  She flew off without hesitation so I hope she was just resting.

[Fleecewife]

Oh good - I thought I was going nuts when my first thought was 'nightjar'.  We don't have them round here and I've never seen one in the flesh, so I thought I must be mistaken.  I must find out more about them.


Cross posted with Bramblecot.

[Bramblecot]

Wow!  We were lucky .  I'll probably never see one again.  We are 1/2 mile from the south coast in Dorset so I like to think she was having a nap before a long flight to warmer climes.

[Fleecewife]

I don't think it's a bird of prey with that small beak.  She also doesn't look very well from the way she's sitting and the half closed eye.  But I have to admit I'm not all that expert at identifying birds of prey one from the other. I'm sure someone else will know.

Looking at the online pictures I see the half closed eye and rather subdued look are not illness, just what nightjars look like    Silly me !

[Bramblecot]

Confirmed as Nightjar by Dorset Wildlife Trust.  Probably a female or juvenile resting before the migration to Africa. 
Apparently they will lay along a branch (or in this case, the fence rail) facing into the sun to avoid casting a shadow whilst they rest during the day.  Usually feed on moths at dawn and dusk.