Buzzard (13th of June, 2022, Amsterdam Netherlands) (1 Viewer)

[Frank-birding]

Yesterday evening I saw this presumably Common Buzzard from far away deep into the huge restricted runway areas of Schiphol Airport (Amsterdam). In fact, it was so far away that it couldn't be seen by the naked eye. I only spotted it accidentally through my binos while following a Kestrel flying with prey. It landed on one of the tall (>40m high) concrete pillars of a jet-engine test construction.

Well, a Common Buzzard, but it seems slightly off. I'm a bit puzzled by its apparent 6 distinct fingers. But that's likely just a consequence of mould or the wing position (spread and/or curved in the images)?

Regards, Frank

 

[Ratal]

That looks awfully like a Pale Long-Legged Buzzard!

 

[dwatsonbirder]

It is difficult to be certain of any ID on the basis of these images, but in 701 and 706 the darker chest contrasting with a pale breast band would support Common over Long-legged. The feathering on the tibia and belly don't appear dark enough for what a "classic" LLB looks like, whilst some streaky feathering extending from the chest onto the throat also isn't good for LLB. If you are in the area it would be worth trying to get some more photos of course, as in different light and at closer range some of the apparent features may just be photographic artefact...

 

[Geordiestew]

June? May want to edit title. Or let me borrow your time machine please 🙂

 

[Jos Stratford]

June? May want to edit title. Or let me borrow your time machine please 🙂

Maybe the UK time zone has shifted by some big magnitude It is June here on the continent 👍

 

[tconzemi]

Don't forget that very pale Common Buzzard are common in our region (Benelux, northern France, Germany ...)

 

[Geordiestew]

Maybe the UK time zone has shifted by some big magnitude It is June here on the continent 👍

Previously was July in title. Obvs.

 

[dwatsonbirder]

Maybe the UK time zone has shifted by some big magnitude It is June here on the continent 👍

Currently residing somewhere C. 1942...

 

[Frank-birding]

I was ahead of times Date in title
Corrected!

 

[Frank-birding]

Thank you all for looking at my ID question and DWarsonbirder for the explanation too! I’ll try if I can find the bird again indeed, although I have slim hopes as the bird was deep into restricted airport terrain.

 

[Ratal]

Reminded me so much of this Pale Legged (bookmarked pic as well as the ones I've seen up close and personal. (Oh, and photographers details attached to pic) is why I did a double take! Hope you refind it.