There are 15 species of raptor found in the UK. Only 10 are resident here all year round. The other 5 are migrant birds.It is wonderful to see that the re introduction of the Red Kite back into the UK has been a success.
Kestrel
Kestrels are common and widespread throughout the UK.They have a signature hovering technique when hunting.
Male and Female
Female
Male
Male
Female and Male
Male offering his catch to the Female
Female
Male
Male
Male
Kestrel
Kestrel
Sparrow Hawk
Sparrowhawks are small birds of prey. They're adapted for hunting birds in confined spaces like dense woodland, so gardens are ideal hunting grounds for them. Adult male Sparrowhawks have a bluish-grey back and wings and orangey-brown stripes on their chest and belly. Females and young birds have brown back and wings, and brown stripes underneath. Sparrowhawks have bright yellow or orangey eyes, yellow legs and talons. Females are larger than males, as with all birds of prey.
Sparrow Hawk
Sparrow Hawk
Sparrow Hawk
Sparrow Hawk
Sparrow Hawk
Sparrow Hawk
Sparrow Hawk
Sparrow Hawk
Sparrow Hawk
Buzzard
The buzzards shown here are not all native to the UK. The common or Steppe Buzzard is local to the UK and also found across other parts of the world.The Jackal Buzzard is from Africa.
Jackal Buzzard
Jackal Buzzard
Jackal Buzzard
Steppe Buzzard
Steppe Buzzard
Steppe Buzzard
Steppe Buzzard
Steppe Buzzard
Steppe Buzzard
Steppe Buzzard
Lanner Falcon
The Falcon family is always associated with speed.They are incredibly nimble birds that that can change direction and accelerate in the blink of an eye.
Lanner Falcon
Lanner Falcon
Lanner Falcon
Lanner Falcon
Lanner Falcon
Marsh Harrier
The Marsh Harrier is a medium-sized raptor and has is the largest and broadest-winged harriers. Most of them are found near marshland and dense reedbeds as they hunt for food. They feed mainly on frogs, small mammals and birds, such as moorhen and coot.
Marsh Harrier
Marsh Harrier
Marsh Harrier
Marsh Harrier
Red Kite
The Red Kite was completely extinct in the England and Scotland in the 1800s. They have been successfully reintroduced in the 1980s and 1990s and they now have a estabilshed a population that is increasing year on year.
Red Kite
Red Kite
Red Kite
Red Kite
Red Kite
Red Kite
Red Kite
Red Kite
Red Kite
Red Kite
Osprey
When seen in flight from below, the Osprey has white or slightly mottled underparts. The wings are angled, bending at the 'wrist' (middle) which has a black patch contrasting with the white wing linings and, at a distance, it could be mistaken for a large gull. This spectacular fish-eating bird of prey is an Amber List species because of its historical decline (due to illegal killing) and low breeding numbers and is a summer visitor from Africa.
