Lesser Kestrel

5th May 2026. After recently watching Lesser Kestrels in Spain I certainly did'nt expect to be seeing one in Cornwall a couple of weeks later. This male had been around for a few days at Goonhilly on the Lizard. On arrival a few people were watching it,although fairly distantly, after a while I tagged along with some young birders from Falmouth uni who seemed to know its favoured spot in some pine trees , and there it was, sitting low down in a pine in the drizzle, a good view and managed a few nice photos. After lunch the bird was on the opposite side of the road in the top of some tall pines where a small crowd were gathered. I stayed here for some time before heading back to the car and leaving them to it.Back on the road I turned back and realised the bird had taken off and was hovering,and then I could'nt believe it,the Kestrel landed in a small roadside tree right beside me giving brilliant views, I looked back to see the crowd all looking my way and probably wishing they had left with me! I did a little dance to celebrate and left for home a happy bunny. A lifer for me in the U.K.