Pickering Pasture 09/10/2019

[philglt]

While the weather was dry, it was time for a walk and Pickering has good footpaths. I didn't expect to see a lot, but was pleasantly surprised:

Brown Shield Bug by Philip Gaulton, on Flickr

The big buddleia bush by the bridge had a few late flowers left and was attracting some really nice butterflies and other late flowers were keeping the hoverflies topped up:

Red Admiral by Philip Gaulton, on Flickr

Comma by Philip Gaulton, on Flickr

Wind Farm by Philip Gaulton, on Flickr

Painted Lady by Philip Gaulton, on Flickr

Painted Lady by Philip Gaulton, on Flickr

Painted Lady by Philip Gaulton, on Flickr

Red Admiral by Philip Gaulton, on Flickr

Small White by Philip Gaulton, on Flickr

Red Admiral and Comma by Philip Gaulton, on Flickr

Painted Lady by Philip Gaulton, on Flickr

Wild Rose by Philip Gaulton, on Flickr

Hoverfly by Philip Gaulton, on Flickr

Hoverfly by Philip Gaulton, on Flickr

Hoverfly by Philip Gaulton, on Flickr

Tachina Fera by Philip Gaulton, on Flickr

Hoverfly by Philip Gaulton, on Flickr

...and finally:I looked up to see what looked to be a high flying Buzzard.I initially ignored it but then took a look through the binoculars and I could see white at the base and tips of the tail....so I took a few quick pictures as it quickly started to disappear.What I appear to have seen was an immature Golden Eagle, but now after further information, is probably a Harris's Hawk....spot of the day/week/year
Harris's Hawk ? by Philip Gaulton, on Flickr

Phil

[ian531]

Wow, what a spot Phil, that is amazing to see that in this area

Ian

[philglt]

Thanks Ian,

It makes you wonder what is missed though when there is no one around to look.

Phil

[Speedy]

Hello Phil,

Great shots of the Bird of prey over Pickerings. I am about to stick my neck out here and get shot down in flames (or Feathers) but I do not think it is a Golden Eagle. I am not an expert either but it does look like some breed of Eagle but not quite sure. It maybe a captive bird escaped from a collector. It may be worthwhile putting it on a Bird spotters Board to see what the experts say. But anyhow its a great capture over Widnes.

Now taking cover ....Paul

[philglt]

No problem here Paul....I’m no expert on such birds and came to my tentative conclusion through pictures in books and on the internet. I also put the picture into an excellent app, called Merlin and it came to the same conclusion.If anyone out there knows more, opinions are welcomed.

Regards, Phil

[philglt]

Thanks to a suggestion by John Jones, the bird may well be a Harris Hawk. These are non-native, so don’t show on field guides but are often used by falconers. So it looks like a less interesting spot after all!

Phil

[bulldog]

I sent the pic to my nephew who knows more about birds than anyone!!, he confirms it is a Harris Hawk

[philglt]

Thanks for the confirmation bulldog.

Phil