Buzzard with a wire (1 Viewer)

[richtweedy]

I had some luck photographing a buzzard perched on a telegraph pole today - normally they fly off when I open the car window... But I was puzzled by the wire sticking out of its back - how did it get there? The buzzard didn't seem to be in any obvious discomfort. Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.

 

[etudiant]

I had some luck photographing a buzzard perched on a telegraph pole today - normally they fly off when I open the car window... But I was puzzled by the wire sticking out of its back - how did it get there? The buzzard didn't seem to be in any obvious discomfort. Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.

Maybe a radio tracker?
There have been similar setups deployed in the US. If it were that, though, I'd expect the bird to be banded as well. Are there any more pictures which would show both legs of this bird fully?

 

[Bird_Bill]

A picture of a Common Buzzard being fitted with a transmitter >here<. Could be different technology, rather than GPS, local radio telemetry. Seen a flying juv. Bald Eagle that had part of Cockleburr plant stuck to it's rump. Myself and other people thought at first it was discarded fishing line. Agree with etudiant, perhaps a leg band is present.

 

[dantheman]

Maybe it is a wire, but not some random debris on the lens? (I know it can't be because it's in focus ... )

 

[Nutcracker]

Looks to me more like plant matter (a bit of hay or similar) than wire.

 

[richtweedy]

Many thanks for your thoughts on this. My first thought was satellite tracking but the main area of research seems to be migratory birds (for obvious reasons) and thus honey buzzards but not common buzzards. I didn't get a better view of the legs, my angle was all wrong for that.

I did take a shot of the top of the telegraph pole after it left to just to be sure it wasn't something on the lens or the pole! Plant matter is a good suggestion, though the material does look remarkably uniform in width, I would have expected a bit more plant-like structure (even with straw).

I will try to pursue this a little further, and will post if I get a clear answer.

Thanks again, your contributions are all appreciated.

 

[JTBirdo]

I would suggest he's likely to have a band round one of his legs but would be interested to know if you find out any more information

 

[rosbifs]

It's a mole....

 

[Firecrest5]

Looks a bit like a tail feather still in the sheath that wasnt preened out for some reason

 

[Farnboro John]

Looks like a wire to me, and I've seen local Barn Owls with them, so its not just migratory species.

It may be more to do with monitoring survival rates and disappearance locations of raptors.

John

 

[Nutcracker]

Looks like a wire to me, and I've seen local Barn Owls with them, so its not just migratory species.

It may be more to do with monitoring survival rates and disappearance locations of raptors.

John

Doesn't look at all like a radio transmitter wire! That would be slightly thicker (see Bird_Bill's link), straight or gently curved (not kinked like this is), and lie ± flat on the bird's back. A bird carrying a transmitter would also be ringed.

I'm sticking with a strand of hay or other loose plant material.

 

[Farnboro John]

Doesn't look at all like a radio transmitter wire! That would be slightly thicker (see Bird_Bill's link), straight or gently curved (not kinked like this is), and lie ± flat on the bird's back. A bird carrying a transmitter would also be ringed.

I'm sticking with a strand of hay or other loose plant material.

Transmitter wires start straight and flat, but they are as subject to being knocked about in the wild as much as anything else. As for "slightly thicker" there must be a couple of dozen different models in use around the world. Some go on really small birds..... they aren't all the same size.

John

 

[Nutcracker]

Transmitter wires start straight and flat, but they are as subject to being knocked about in the wild as much as anything else. As for "slightly thicker" there must be a couple of dozen different models in use around the world. Some go on really small birds..... they aren't all the same size.

John

Fair enough for small birds, but any transmitter used on a Buzzard has to be tough enough to resist a strong bill - the thing on this bird couldn't resist that for long!

 

[Farnboro John]

Fair enough for small birds, but any transmitter used on a Buzzard has to be tough enough to resist a strong bill - the thing on this bird couldn't resist that for long!

Maybe that's why it has a kink in it! Seriously, though, its a piece of metal. A Buzzard isn't going to chomp through it, though a Hawfinch just might.

John

 

[Simon Wates]

The antenna I was trying to spot on a nice close up Bonelli's (one we know is being tracked) yesterday was tough to see in the scope it was so fine. The positioning of the "wire" on the CB is a bit higher than normal - I say "wire" because I know these can get splayed - so I assume they can be made out of some kind of synthetic fibre maybe with fine wire/s in them. Someone must know these type of antennas - maybe these are supposed to be bent.

 

[SteveTS]

Perhaps you'll catch up with your Buzzard this weekend, rich, and see if it is still there ?

 

[tit_tyrant]

Someone get a RC airplane controller up there and see if you can steer it

 

[June Atkinson]

Radio transmitter and harness


Attached is a photograph of the kit we used for the reintroduction of Red Kites here in Gateshead's Derwent Valley.

Go to
http://www.friendsofredkites.org.ukpage11.htm
to see more about the tagging of our current kites.

 

[Firecrest5]

I still say it is in totally the wrong position for a transmitter. If tailmounted, it would be affixed to a centre deck feather. If attached via a "trackpack" fitnent like June shows it also wouldnt sit in such a position.