Author Topic: Bird ID (Read 4003 times)

Bramblecot · « **on:** September 19, 2015, 07:26:28 pm »

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 · « **Reply #1 on:** September 19, 2015, 07:34:15 pm »

Sorry, I meant to say female kestrel, not sparrowhawk

. Dark eye, no yellow.

Fleecewife · « **Reply #2 on:** September 19, 2015, 07:39:37 pm »

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 · « **Reply #3 on:** September 19, 2015, 07:53:57 pm »

Nightjar?

deepblue · « **Reply #4 on:** September 19, 2015, 07:54:06 pm »

I think it may be a nightjar

Louise Gaunt · « **Reply #5 on:** September 19, 2015, 08:35:04 pm »

My first thought was also night jar.

devonlady · « **Reply #6 on:** September 19, 2015, 09:47:43 pm »

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

Bramblecot · « **Reply #7 on:** September 19, 2015, 10:51:26 pm »

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 · « **Reply #8 on:** September 19, 2015, 10:53:25 pm »

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 · « **Reply #9 on:** September 19, 2015, 10:59:45 pm »

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 · « **Reply #10 on:** September 19, 2015, 11:48:22 pm »

Quote from: Fleecewife on September 19, 2015, 07:39:37 pm

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 · « **Reply #11 on:** September 25, 2015, 09:27:03 pm »

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.