Buzzard sp. Wykeham Forest (1 Viewer)

[Louis_P]

Are these photos of Common or Honey Buzzard - https://drive.google.com/open?id=1-SfOt3Wnu60Pu1TsYJoAoBbOprPRtX5p, https://drive.google.com/open?id=1-UuhSY3EZPm2LdcBXKf4r2gzYZMwabgM and https://drive.google.com/open?id=1-X4UjUPgkteK9tjK9IsuPXKkT-YR4wvY? I saw many Common Buzzards during the hour or two we spent there but they were all through the scope. This one was against the dull sky, was spotted whilst driving out of the forest and only showed for 30 seconds. I suspect it is Common but better safe than sorry.

Thanks,
Louis

P.S. - The photo was taken 3 or 4 weeks ago

 

[GWB77]

Common Buzzard

 

[mark clements]

Hi Louis,
looks like a common buzzard to me too. Was there anything about it that made you wonder Honey Buzzard?
From the photos the head shape is not too distinctive, what was it like to the eye?
Best
Harry

 

[Louis_P]

Thanks! My lack of experience with Honey Buzzard was the only reason I wasn't sure. I'm afraid my memory of the bird is poor. All I remember is its flight was relatively direct and I didn't watch it soar. Hopefully, I can stop there for a full day another year to become familiar with the species and the differences between Common and Honey. Annoyingly, a Honey Buzzard was seen a few miles away from my house the day before I visited Wykeham.

Thanks,
Louis

 

[mark clements]

If you check the species side by side in your guide, there are some key differences that are (usually) visible in the field. I was lucky to grow up in the New Forest and become familiar with them as a youngster.
http://honey-buzzard.blogspot.com/p/identification-revised.html has a couple of good pointers.
H

 

[Louis_P]

Thanks for the help, my ID guide does have some very good side by side diagrams showing the differences and the website is even more useful. Are Honey Buzzards still relatively easy to see in the New Forest?

Thanks once again,
Louis

 

[mark clements]

Acres Down and Beaulieu Road Station good sites, but not guaranteed. Good areas for Goshawks too.

 

[KenM]

Good features to look for Louis especially as distant silhouettes...are longer tail than CB and smaller head.

Happy Hunting.:t: