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Lloyd Llewellyn · Friday 28th October 2011, 14:42

I was driving through Wensleydale near Askrigg last Wednesday (26th October), when I saw a very pale almost white bird, which at first I thought was a barn owl, flying across a field. It then landed in a tree above the road and as I passed under it, I could clearly (but briefly!) see that it was a largish bird of prey, but definitely NOT an owl (nor a gull!).
Just wondering if anyone else had seen this or if anyone has any ideas what it could have been.
Thanks,
Lloyd

Hotspur · Friday 28th October 2011, 14:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lloyd Llewellyn

I was driving through Wensleydale near Askrigg last Wednesday (26th October), when I saw a very pale almost white bird, which at first I thought was a barn owl, flying across a field. It then landed in a tree above the road and as I passed under it, I could clearly (but briefly!) see that it was a largish bird of prey, but definitely NOT an owl (nor a gull!).
Just wondering if anyone else had seen this or if anyone has any ideas what it could have been.
Thanks,
Lloyd

male Hen Harrier? Can look very pale.

Rob Smallwood · Friday 28th October 2011, 15:22

Pale Rough-legged Buzzard?

Jane Turner · Friday 28th October 2011, 15:27

or just a pale Buzzard

Lloyd Llewellyn · Monday 31st October 2011, 19:18

Thanks for the suggestions. I think I'm coming down in favour of a (very) pale buzzard of some sort, although unless someone else saw it and got a positive ID, then I suppose I'll never know for sure.

Friday 28th October 2011, 14:42	#1
Lloyd Llewellyn Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Norfolk Posts: 2	Large pale bird of prey, Wensleydale I was driving through Wensleydale near Askrigg last Wednesday (26th October), when I saw a very pale almost white bird, which at first I thought was a barn owl, flying across a field. It then landed in a tree above the road and as I passed under it, I could clearly (but briefly!) see that it was a largish bird of prey, but definitely NOT an owl (nor a gull!). Just wondering if anyone else had seen this or if anyone has any ideas what it could have been. Thanks, Lloyd

Friday 28th October 2011, 15:22	#3
Rob Smallwood Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Greater Manchester Posts: 3,187	Pale Rough-legged Buzzard? __________________ Rob "Thirty years ago I knew nothing about birding. Today I know enough to know that I know very little"
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Friday 28th October 2011, 15:27	#4
Jane Turner Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Hoylake, Merseyside Posts: 19,813 My location	or just a pale Buzzard __________________ If I'm not online I'm probably here! Last Cheshire Lesser Scaup (301) last Red Rocks Grey Partridge (250), last Garden Avocet (202), last Self-found Great White Egret (293)
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Monday 31st October 2011, 19:18	#5
Lloyd Llewellyn Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Norfolk Posts: 2	Thanks for the suggestions. I think I'm coming down in favour of a (very) pale buzzard of some sort, although unless someone else saw it and got a positive ID, then I suppose I'll never know for sure.

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