Rod Jones

A UK female kestrel is a bird of prey the size of a pigeon, but slimmer, with a brown and spotted back and wings, a brown head, and a long, dark-banded tail. It has pale, often speckled, underparts and a distinctive dark "mask" on its face and pointed wings that it uses for hovering in one spot. The adult has a bright yellow eye and a yellow cere (the waxy part over the beak). Size: Roughly the size of a pigeon, but slimmer and more elegant. Wings: Pointed wings, often angled at the "wrist" so they look slightly bent, a feature used for hovering. Tail: A long, fan-shaped tail when hovering. Back and wings: Reddish-brown with dark spots. Underparts: Pale or cream-colored, with dark speckles or spots. Face: A dark "mask" from the eye to the beak, similar to a tear mark. Tail: Dark, broken bands on a brownish-grey tail. Eyes: Yellow in adults. Legs: Pale grey. Beak: Black. Hovering: A key characteristic is its ability to "hover" or hang in the air, facing the wind, while looking for prey on the ground below. Hunting: It uses its keen eyesight to spot prey like small mammals and insects on the ground. Perching: It often perches on high spots like fence posts or power lines to scan the area.

I do love Kestrels & any opportunity I get to photograph them is always just pure pleasure like this up-close portrait shot of a Female Kestrel 🥰 Photo taken in Somerset last August 🪶 🦉 #ukbirding #ukwildlife #naturephotography #wildlife #birdphotography #birdsofprey #kestrel

Side view of a redwing perching among twigs in a tree. It's a small thrush with a white eye stripe and a red patch under its wing.

Redwing - one of my favourite autumn/winter visitors - in Shelf Woods, Halifax. #ThePhotoHour #birds #birding #wildlife #nature #photography @yorkswildlife.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

You are a loser if you hunt animals, follow us if you agree!

A fox stands on top of a dry stone wall and looks into the camera lens.

Fox on a Yorkshire dry stone wall. #FoxOfTheDay #ThePhotoHour #wildlife #nature #photography @yorkswildlife.bsky.social @protectthewild.bsky.social @mammalsociety.bsky.social

A European robin redbreast perches on a wooden post. The bird has its head on one side and is standing in front of defocused, bright red apples.

Robin perching in front of a tree laden with red apples at St Aidan's. #ThePhotoHour #birds #birding #wildlife #nature #photography @yorkswildlife.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

Satellite-tagged Hen Harrier ‘Circe’ disappears in suspicious circumstances in Moorfoot Hills, south Scotland Press release from Hen Harrier Action (20th November 2025) HEN HARRIER ACTION APPEALS FOR INFORMATION AS ANOTHER RARE HEN HARRIER SUSPECTED TO HAVE BEEN ILLEGALLY KILLED IN SCOTLAND A satellite tag…

Satellite-tagged Hen Harrier 'Circe' disappears in suspicious circumstances in Moorfoot Hills, south Scotland raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/11/20/s...

Thanks Rob

Side view of a long-tailed tit perching on a branch among autumn leaves.

Long-tailed tit at St Aidan's. #ThePhotoHour #birds #birding #wildlife #nature #photography @yorkswildlife.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

Side view of a European robin redbreast looking between branches. There are red hawthorn berries in the tree.

Robin in a hawthorn tree in Norwood Green, Halifax. #ThePhotoHour #birds #birding #wildlife #nature #photography @yorkswildlife.bsky.social

Thank you

Side view of a red deer calf walking among green tussocky grass.

Red deer calf at Studley Royal. #ThePhotoHour #wildlife #nature #photography @yorkswildlife.bsky.social @nationaltrust.org.uk @mammalsociety.bsky.social

A great tit perches on a branch, looking at a bright red apple.

Great tit in an apple tree at St Aidan's. #ThePhotoHour #birds #birding #wildlife #nature #photography @yorkswildlife.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

Thank you - they're beautiful and friendly birds

Side view of a blue tit perching above bunches of red hawthorn berries and green leaves. The bird's plumage is a colourful mixture of blue, yellow, black, white and olive green.

Blue tit among the hawthorn berries in Norwood Green, Halifax. #ThePhotoHour #birds #birding #wildlife #nature #photography @yorkswildlife.bsky.social

Close-up of a European robin - with a red breast - perching on a branch next to red hawthorn berries.

Robin in Norwood Green, Halifax. #ThePhotoHour #birds #birding #wildlife #nature #photography @yorkswildlife.bsky.social

Side view of a goldcrest - a tiny, olive green bird with a yellow patch on its head. The bird is perching on red hawthorn berries.

Goldcrest on hawthorn berries in Shelf Woods, Halifax. #ThePhotoHour #birds #birding #wildlife #nature #photography @yorkswildlife.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

The underside of a deer mushroom growing into a fallen tree trunk, showing the stalk and the pink and white gills.

Deer mushroom growing in a fallen tree trunk in Shelf Woods, Halifax. #fungifriends #photography #nature #ThePhotoHour @yorkswildlife.bsky.social @plantlifeuk.bsky.social

Side view of a red deer stag raising its head and bellowing in a grassy field.

Red deer stag at Studley Royal. #ThePhotoHour #deer #wildlife #nature #photography @nationaltrust.org.uk @yorkswildlife.bsky.social @mammalsociety.bsky.social

Thanks - they're gorgeous birds.

Thanks - glad you like it

Thanks Rob

Two sika deer stags stand next to each other - one side-on and one facing the camera.

Sika deer stags at Studley Royal. #ThePhotoHour #deer #wildlife #nature #photography @nationaltrust.org.uk @yorkswildlife.bsky.social @mammalsociety.bsky.social

Front view of a European robin perching on a branch, showing the bird's bright red breast.

Robin in Norwood Green, Halifax. #ThePhotoHour #birds #birding #wildlife #nature #photography @yorkswildlife.bsky.social

Low-angle shot of a blue tit perching on a branch in front of a pale blue sky and looking into the lens.

Blue tit in Shelf Woods, Halifax. #ThePhotoHour #birds #birding #wildlife #nature #photography @yorkswildlife.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

Thank you

Front view of a European robin - with a red breast - perching on top of a wooden pallet in front of a grey background.

Robin perching on top of a pallet at our local farm. #ThePhotoHour #birds #birding #wildlife #nature #photography @yorkswildlife.bsky.social

Thanks. Glad you like it.

A juvenile kestrel perches on a fence post in front of a brown moorland background. The bird has a worm dangling from its beak.

Juvenile kestrel feeding on worms on Rishworth Moor. #ThePhotoHour #birds #birding #wildlife #nature #photography @yorkswildlife.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

Side view of a European robin perching at a branch fork and surrounded by orange and brown autumn leaves.

Robin among autumn leaves in Shelf Woods, Halifax. #ThePhotoHour #birds #birding #wildlife #nature #photography @yorkswildlife.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

Silhouette of a wren with an upturned tail perching on a branch.

Early morning wren in Shelf Woods, Halifax. #ThePhotoHour #birds #birding #wildlife #nature #photography @yorkswildlife.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social