Guardian 26513

[bartfast]

18 down looks like 'kestrel' but why? 26 across looks like 'hairball' but what clues for 'hair'?

[penelope2]

Would you like to share the clues with us please.

[Mamyalynne]

26 Tom's problem is essentially the way big girls dance (8)

[bartfast]

18 down: Lesser kite regularly seen flying with other birds of prey.
26 across: Tom's problem is essentially the way big girls dance.

[Mamyalynne]

26 Essentially = middle letters of 'the way big girls' + Ball (dance)

[Lie-in King]

18d Lesser kite regularly seen flying with other birds of prey (8)
26a Tom's problem is essentially the way big girls dance (8)

18d Kestrels - anag 'lesser k(i)t(e) [regularly]'
26a Hairball (tom = cat) - essentially (central) '(t)h(e) (w)a(y) (b)i(g) (gi)r(ls)' + ball (dance)

[bartfast]

now I see!! Thanks Lie-in-King and Mamyalynne.