Female Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus)

I took a walk in a local area that had once been a coal mine, now it is a mixture of farmers fields, set aside and small plantations of mainly silver birch.

I was hoping to see deer, but none were to be found. I was lucky enough to see this female kestrel, searching for food amongst the long grass of the set aside land.  Unfortunately, she also saw me and this was as close as she came.  I imagine my field craft would need to improve a lot to get any closer and despite hanging around under the cover of a nearby plantation, she did not return.