Does anyone know what this bird is....

I think it could be a sparrowhawk, because they have a stripey tail like that. They are brownish, with a short, stubby down-curving beak, and slightly stripey chest.

certainly could be, its not a kestrel as we have one here regularly, he has a golden back and a soft grey head

Holly it certainly looks like a Sparrowhawk, I just punch it in on google and it looks very much like yours. Did all your usual birds scatter ?? or disappeared for a while ??

It is a sparrowhawk. He has come to play with the finches!

i agree i think a sparrowhawk, we have them here, so quick to, one took a bird from my garden , couldnt believe how quick ,

Don't send it my way, Holly, nice to look at but don't like their natural instinct to kill other birds. : o (((

I think it could be a sparrowhawk too, looks like one I saw here.

Wonder if should submit a few plants on Ispyabird and ask if anyone can recognise them ?

Thanks everyone... i did wonder if it was a sparrowhawk.... it nice to see him...but not so keen on birds of prey.... being so near the seafront we dont get that many birds in the garden... but more come in the winter...
BB.... i dont use ispyabird... and this is a nature blog...... and a garden blog as the bird is in my garden....
you can always try plants on there if you so wish to do so....!!!!!!!!!

Whilst stand by my views appreciate it was ill advised to submit my feelings through your blog and for that I apologise.Realise it was unfair and should not have expressed my annoyance at reading criticisms of Ispyabird in this manner.