Raptor ID - Devon, UK. (1 Viewer)

[greg_evans]

Hello al,

I'd just welcome comments on the id of this raptor seen on Halesbere Common, Devon.

I didn't see the bird but the original observer said the bird in flight was a very pale cream colour, similar to that of a Barn Owl.

Once relocated in the tree the observer identitfied the bird as a Harrier sp, dark marking were noted on the wing tips.

I'd suggest that the bird was an Osprey on passage and not a harrier but i'm definatly open to suggestions as is the original observer as he was intrigued by the creamy, pale overall colour of the bird.

Cheers,

Greg

 

[jason stannage]

hi greg its a looks like a osprey:t: note the Dark brown eyeline broadening behind eye.
Dark brown back and upperwings. hope this helps
jason

 

[derekg]

Hi Greg,

it certainly looks like an Osprey to me.

Derek

 

[Stritchy]

Where did you see that?:eek!: I live in cornwall and would really like to see an Osprey.

 

[nickderry]

something really not right about this as an osprey and if the original observer says it was a pale cream all over in flight, it's got to be a pale common buzzard. Osprey would look more like a small head on a dark sack of a bird. Also, the brownish barring on the underparts above the leg (which are also yellow!) point to buzzard.

 

[derekg]

something really not right about this as an osprey and if the original observer says it was a pale cream all over in flight, it's got to be a pale common buzzard. Osprey would look more like a small head on a dark sack of a bird. Also, the brownish barring on the underparts above the leg (which are also yellow!) point to buzzard.

It's posture is all wrong for a buzzard (photo 1 and 4)
I'd still go with the Osprey

Derek

 

[nickderry]

It's posture is all wrong for a buzzard (photo 1 and 4)
I'd still go with the Osprey

Derek

So are its bright yellow legs, can't be an osprey.

 

[AStevenson]

I'm with Nick on this one - it is a pale buzzard and not an osprey. It has some brownish markings on the underparts (osprey never has), legs are yellow (blue-grey on osprey), and the head parrtern is a brown 'hood' covering the crown (it's the direction of the strong sunlight gthat makes it look pale) and the ear coverts (osprey has a dark brown band across the eye and a largely whitish crown).

I remember being fooled myself initially when seeing a very strangely patterned pale buzzard sitting in a tree in France many years ago - osprey was my take at first glance.

Cheers,
Andrew

 

[Mark Lew1s]

another one for pale buzzard here......

 

[jason stannage]

http://www.visitcumbria.com/photos/osprey1.jpg :t:

http://wdfw.wa.gov/wildwatch/ospreycam/graphics/osprey.jpg

http://www.k12.nf.ca/gc/scienceweb/Environmental/local-environment/follett/Image16.gif


the leg colour in the orignal shots could just be a trick of the light im still convinced its a osprey

 

[nickderry]

http://www.visitcumbria.com/photos/osprey1.jpg :t:

everything's yellow in that picture.

 

[JamesA]

Despite the yellow legs I can't see anything but an osprey in wierd light...

This does not mean I'm right or that you should trust me on this, by any means

 

[dave123]

there is a very pale looking buzzard in devon as shown in this photo

 

[greg_evans]

Hello all, thank you all for your replies.

The original observer, or my dad as he's better known, considered Osprey as it flew past and rejected it based on colour.

He said to me that he'd had a funny looking harrier and asked me to check out the pics when they were developed, my first instinct was certainly Osprey, based mainly on face pattern, but I can certainly see flaws in that, I didn't notice the yellow legs for a start!!!

 

[Vespa]

there is a very pale looking buzzard in devon as shown in this photo

It doesnt look like the same one based on the prominent head markings of this one. Going with Buzzard though...

 

[Perry Smale]

It's a Common Buzzard. There are quite a lot of pale birds like this in Devon which get you going for a couple of seconds, even almost pure white ones.

 

[birdboybowley]

Defo Common Buzzard

 

[seymourbirdies]

Here is a pale buzzard, I think in Beds.

Seymour

 

[vanellus]

This is a difficult one from the photo. My first instinct was also Buzzard as it somehow looks more a Buzzard shape, although the apparent dark line through the eye is one I have not seen on a Buzzard (not that I see many!).

The clincher would be if your Dad got a good view and could remember the wing configuration in flight.

An Osprey's wing shape is more reminiscent of Harrier in that it has a distinct bend at the carpel joint, whereas a Buzzard has a straighter, wing. The Osprey's wings are also much longer and thinner in appearance. Of course this is all dependent upon getting a good view in normal flight.