birds of prey

Buteo buteo (body 53 cm) - Buzzard Variable plumage; normally dark brown upperparts and white underparts with heavy dark brown flecks. Broad wings and fanned tail whilst soaring are distinctive. Often seen perching on fence posts or exposed trees as a vantage point. Found in the open countryside such as farmland and moors, often with areas of woodland. Widespread and locally common. Image taken at the Hawk conservancy, Andover, Wiltshire .

Falco columbarius (body 30 cm) - Merlin Male has slate grey upperparts with chestnut underparts with brown streaks. The female and juvenile have dark brown upperparts with beige underparts flecked with dark brown streaks. Fast and very agile, hunting small birds. Breeds on moors and hillsides; overwinters on farmland and marshes (brackish and freshwater). Widespread but not common. Image taken at the Hawk conservancy, Andover, Wiltshire .

Accipiter nisus (body 35 cm) - Sparrowhawk Male plumage is dark grey on top. Possesses a grey crown, sometimes with a white nape, no eye-stripe. Long grey tail with dark bars. The underparts are white with reddish-brown bars. Female is larger but similar except for a white eye-stripe. Wings are relatively short and rounded, together with the long tail giving a fast, agile flight. Found in woodland. Widespread and can be common. Image taken at Parents house, Prestatyn, Denbighshire .

Falco subbuteo (body 28 cm) - Hobby Adult is slate grey upperparts with white cheeks, neck and pale brown underparts with brown flecks. Juveniles are greyish-brown above fading to beige with dark flecks. Fast flight the silhouette resembling a large Swift. Found on hetahs and open woodland, sometimes famrland and marshes. Widespread and locally common. Image taken at the Hawk conservancy, Andover, Wiltshire .

Milvus milvus (body 62 cm) - Red kite Largest kite with distinctive long forked tail. Adult has a chestnut back with a greyish head. The ubderparts are brownish-red with dark brown flecks. Soars showing distinctive tail and flies holding the wings in a M-shape. Found in open woodland and forests; often in hilly areas. Widespread but not usually in great numbers. Formerly rare and confined to the Welsh hills it has spread back to reclaim former haunts in England. Image taken at the Hawk conservancy, Andover, Wiltshire .

Falco tinnunculus (body 35 cm) - Kestrel Male has a chestnut back with dark spots and a grey head and tail. The tail has a black bar at the end. The underparts are beige with dark spots. The female and juveniles have brown upperparts and beige underparts with dark brown flecks. Distinctive hovering whilst hunting. Found in a range of habitats including urban areas, farmland, marshes, moors, mountains and the coast. Widespread and common. Image taken at Isle of Portland, near Weymouth, Dorset .

Falco peregrinus (body 45 cm) - Peregrine Adult has dark grey upperparts and tail and white underparts with dark brown flecks. Black patches beneath the eyes. Fast strong flyer - hunts by diving from great heights gainig acceleration onto the prey. Found in rocky, mountainous areas and cliffs all year and moors and marshes in the winter. Widespread but not numerous. Image taken at the Hawk conservancy, Andover, Wiltshire . Observed once in the wild, hunting waders (mainly redshank and dunlin) at Leighton Moss RSPB reserve, Silverdale, Lancashire.

Tyto alba (body 35 cm) - Barn owl Pale sandy brown upperparts with brown flecks and white underparts. White heart-shaped facial disc. Large dark eyes. Nocturnal. Found in open woodland, farmland, heaths and surrouding villages. Widepsread but not numerous. Image taken at the Hawk conservancy, Andover, Wiltshire . Only seen once in the wild - sitting on a fence post at roughly midnight on the way back from work.

Nyctea scandiaca (body 60 cm) - Snowy owl Distinctive large white owl. Male is mostly white with occasional brown flecks. Female is white with bold dark brown flecks and streaks. Yellow eyes with dark pupils. Will hunt during the day. Breeds on tundra, overwinters on open lands. Irregular and scarce in the UK, confined to the Scottish Highlands. Image taken at the Hawk conservancy, Andover, Wiltshire .

Strix aluco (body 38 cm) - Tawny owl Chestnut brown and beige flecked upperparts with black streaks. Beige underparts with dark brown flecks. Large rounded head with a circular facial disc. Dark eyes. Hunts during the night. Common and widespread. Found in woodland, farmalnd and urban areas. Image taken at the Hawk conservancy, Andover, Wiltshire .

Athene noctua (body 23 cm) - Little owl The smallest owl in the UK. Greyish-brown upperparts with white flecks and white underparts with dark brown flecks. Large head with an oblong facial disc and yellow eyes possessing dark pupils. Distinctive undulating flight. Hunts during the night and evening. Found oin woodland, farmalnd, heaths and suburbs. Widepsread and locally common. Image taken at the Hawk conservancy, Andover, Wiltshire .

Asio otus (body 35 cm) - Long-eared owl Upperparts are brown with black, beige and pale brown flecks.Underparts are beige with dark brown flecks. Rounde head with distinctive ear tufts. The facial disc is circular coloured orange-brown. eyes are yellowish-orange with black pupils. Found in woodland, generally coniferous. Widespread but not numerous. Image taken at the Hawk conservancy, Andover, Wiltshire .

Pandion haliaetus (body 58 cm) - Osprey Adult is dark brown above with a white head, breast and underside; large brown patch across the eye. Wings are held in an 'M-shape' during flight. The grey beak is hooked. Characteristic plunge diving for fish. Found on large lakes and reservoirs. Widespread but rarely numerous; confined to the Lake District and above in the UK; summer visitor. Observed at Bassenthwaite Lake, Lake District, Cumbria .