ID please
 

A mate took this picture yesterday and neither of us can identify it.
It looks like a raptor of some kind. A foreign visitor, or escapee?
Any ideas anyone?

Hi Richard,
I am assuming that this was taken somewhere in Britain, judging by your own location?
I'd go for a pale Common Buzzard with this, plumage and structure would fit: some can get very pale indeed. Any thoughts of Rough-legged can be discounted by the unfeathered legs alone, though it doesn't look right for one regardless, at least to my eyes.
Regards,
Harry

Hello
Yes, mainland Britain.
He thought Buzzard of some kind, especially when it flew.

Someone has suggested Osprey. That seems possible.

Very strong head pattern for a pale Common Buzzard - is there anything else it could be?

Will get 'Raptors of the World' out later.

Steve

Any chance its a wet Black Winged Kite Elanus caeruleus , the face looks right

They are becoming common in SW France
I have been watching one for the past 6 weeks from the kitchen table

I'm still leaning towards Osprey.

Not an Osprey. Head pattern wrong.

Agree.

Doesn't look right over all to me, seems to have way to much dark overall and the shape just isn't quite right.

Common buzzard for me. Definitely not osprey or kite

Common Buzzard for me too, perfect structure. The photo has an alarming amount of contrast I think.

Agree

+1 for buzzard