A KESTREL FOR A KNAVE

We have been aware of a hawk about the bird feeders recently and we saw one take a goldfinch a couple of weeks ago, but they are usually so swift we see no identifying detail. This one perched on the balustrade for a few minutes, within two metres of our breakfast table. By the time I had run upstairs for the Nikon, he had dropped below the deck and seemed to be hiding in the hope the little birds would come back to the feeder. No chance, they were all safely hidden in the hedge, quaking. A male kestrel, I think - you can even see his little 'moustache'.