rough-legged buzzard

Very showy Rough-legged Buzzard at Holland Haven, Essex

We popped down to Holland Haven in Essex this morning to see the very showy Rough Legged Buzzard which has been entertaining so many birders the last few days.

1cy

Rough-Legged Buzzard

First sighting this season,coming down from our northern mountain range to spend the winter further south.

This is the second shot of a sequence of two showing the buzzard with talons poised to grab the prey. Unfortunately the prey wasn't visible behind the grass, I suspect a small mammal that probably dived down a hole, and the bird came up empty handed. So close but so far for both him and me!

Arrived at the moor just in time to see the bird plunge dive down to the moor after prey, this is the first shot of a series of two.

Visited the location three times over 5 days and spent about 15 hours waiting for the bird to come close enough to get a detailed shot of this rare visitor to our area.