help with bird of prey (1 Viewer)

dylan

Well-known member

• Apr 5, 2003

• #1

This bird passed high overhead today when I was walking through Banstead Woods in Surrey. Can anyone help me with the ID?
Thanks.

 

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Andrew

wibble wibble

• Apr 5, 2003

• #2

Sorry if I look daft or sound patronising but it seems very much like a Buzzard to me. They do bend their 'finger tips' back to travel forward.

 

H

HH75

Well-known member

• Apr 5, 2003

• #3

Hi Dylan,
This is a Common Buzzard.The species is still relatively scarce down that way(only saw 2-3 in Surrey and Hampshire in 3 days in July 2001),but increasing all the time.
Harry

 

Andrew

wibble wibble

• Apr 5, 2003

• #4

These are very common in Devon, I often challenge myself to see ten in one day if I am driving around a bit. The most I have had is nine but saw six in one spot. I would probably smash all that if I go to Haldon Raptor Viewpoint at the right time of the year.

 

dylan

Well-known member

• Apr 5, 2003

• #5

Cheers. I was pretty sure it was a Buzzard. It didn't have the 'finger tips' at the ends of the wing which made me uncertain.

I've seen a few before in Wales last summer but never seen any round here.

Thanks again, just wanted to make sure.

 

L

les

New member

• Apr 5, 2003

• #6

Dylan ...Hi

Nice photo...

There`s a suspicion of a dark carpal patch on the left wing. It looks as though the bird is descending, hence no fingering of the primaries. The head looks big for a Common Buzzard, and the tail isn`t well spread, but on balance, I`d say it`s a Common Buzzard: quite common up here in Lancashire (Gods country)

Regards

Les

 

Eddie

Well-known member

• Apr 6, 2003

• #7

Dylan,
I have taken the liberty of lightening up your photo so that the colouration can be seen. Hope you don't mind. I can delete it if you wish. All that I have done is to lighten it and keep the contrast the same as the amount of lighening. I have not done anything else.

Eddie

 

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k.k.stevenson1

Well-known member

• Apr 6, 2003

• #8

not many around nottingham but we are geting there great photo of buzzard Ken

 

dylan

Well-known member

• Apr 6, 2003

• #9

Cheers Eddie. I had lightened it before posting but then thought it better to post the shot as it appeared so as not to alter the colour of the bird.
Andrew, I don't know why you should look daft or sound patronising, I appreciate the ID confirmation, and I'm the daft one for not beeing sure of myself yet when it comes to identifying obvious birds!
Thanks everyone.