Which buzzard? Ulrum, near Groningen, Netherlands (1 Viewer)

[Henry_Flower]

Hi, any opinions on this buzzard, seen today over fields near Groningen today? The belly and wing plumage make me think it might be a rough-legged buzzard, but I'm unsure if there's enough of a band on the tail (not the best angle for that).

 

[tconzemi]

Pro ad female RLB features
Huge carpal patch
Dark chin
Dark belly
Two or more bars above subterminal bar in tail
Looks good to me

 

[Henry_Flower]

Pro ad female RLB features
Huge carpal patch
Dark chin
Dark belly
Two or more bars above subterminal bar in tail
Looks good to me

Thanks!

 

[TheBlackGrouse]

If you want to see one, that's the place to be in the Netherlands.

In winter, you can still find a few of them in the north. Because of climate change sightings in the south of the Netherlands have become very rare.

These are the sightings since the 1st of November 2024 until today. Ulrum is in the middle but probably you were not in that village.

 

[Henry_Flower]

If you want to see one, that's the place to be in the Netherlands.

In winter, you can still find them in the north. Because of climate change sightings in the south of the Netherlands have become rare.

These are the sightings since the 1st of November 2024 until today. Ulrum is in the middle but probably you were not in that village.

View attachment 1636823

Exactly in the village (more of a hamlet, really) -- we clearly chose the right place, by accident!

 

[TheBlackGrouse]

If you're still there, the area in the west (National Park Lauwersmeer) is one of the best nature reserves in the Netherlands but probably you've been there already.

 

[Henry_Flower]

If you're still there, the area in the west (National Park Lauwersmeer) is one of the best nature reserves in the Netherlands but probably you've been there already.

That's where we are today. A ringtail popped up out of the reeds a few metres from us earlier!

 

[Henry_Flower]

Hi, I'd appreciate any more thoughts on this bird. An eBird reviewer thinks it's a common buzzard rather than RLB; I provided him with another photo which might help (it shows the head better, but I was thinking of the underside when choosing pictures before):

He comments:

-- dark head
-- no white leading edges
-- additional stripes in the tail
-- no solid black trailing edge
-- discontinuous dark belly patch
-- carpal patch and dark chin would also fit common buzzard

Can we confirm one way or the other on these pictures?

 

[tconzemi]

An eBird reviewer thinks it's a common buzzard rather than RLB; I provided him with another photo which might help

Can we see that other picture please

 

[Henry_Flower]

Can we see that other picture please

Sorry, I thought I'd included it in my last post -- it should be there now!

 

[tconzemi]

I'm afraid it looks better for Common now, especially due to the reduced dark belly (for juv and females) and lack of bold barring for adult male

 

[Henry_Flower]

I'm afraid it looks better for Common now, especially due to the reduced dark belly (for juv and females) and lack of bold barring for adult male

Thanks -- it's a pity it's not the more exciting bird, but good to know.