Someone having a Stab at this ? (2 Viewers)

[KenM]

Another fundamental non-eagle feature is the 5 exposed primaries on the port wing....Golden Eagle has 6!

I suspect most people when they first go hunting GE in Scotland get a 'wee bit' confused, I certainly did especially with distant 'bulked-up' birds like yours.

cheers

 

[NoviceBirder]

Thanks to all and apologies for my stuborness, i have had it identified by 2 employees within the RSPB, one who specialises in Raptor, he assures me its a RL Buzzard, so i guess i can chalk that one up now.

KenM, thanks for the insight to the 6 fingers and 5 fingers, will watch for that from now on.

 

[Jane Turner]

Except it only looks superficially like a Rough-leg, it much more likely to b a pale Common Buzzard.

 

[phil baber]

Am absolutely in agreement that this is a Common Buzzard.

It may have certain plumage features which "suggest" RLB. But they are seriously way off the mark features!

If this thread continues I may post some sketches I did in 94, of one on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, UK.

Too tired to scan them in now...

 

[James Lidster]

i agree that this may look like a Rough-legged Buzzard but it is, as Jane, CAU, Phil, etc etc have said a Common Buzzard. It does show some pro RL Buzzard features but the bare, yellow legs, dark inner wing coverts etc all identify it as a Common Buzzard.
So please ignore the RSPB raptor 'expert', please do not count RL Buzzard on your list!
Cheers
James

 

[Jane Turner]

Here are some comparison photos.

 

[gropperwinch]

my first thought was Common Buzzard, I have no experience of Rough-leg but I would have though ti would look subtly different even to unfamiliar eyes, which this doesn't. I've never heard of a Rough-leg this late on in the year either. NoviceBirder, welcome to birding, if you carry on this is one of the first of many that will elude your grasps! And we all make mistakes on buzzards at some point, and I've no doubt a few reading this will vividly remember my most recent!