Buzzard ID?

[jmorgan]

Not seen this much white in a Buzzard before. Anyone know what version it is?

[Johnnytheboy]

Is it Honey Buzzard that's a bit paler?

[anonymous-user]

Its quite common to see Buzzards that have a lot of white or cream plumage, especially in the south west! where was the pic taken by the way?

[GWC]

They're known as pale form.

[jmorgan]

MonkeyMatt said:

Its quite common to see Buzzards that have a lot of white or cream plumage, especially in the south west! where was the pic taken by the way?

If this link works

Place called Stormy Down in S Wales en route from Bridgend to Porthcawl.

If there is an exif on that image, the time is still US.

[jmorgan]

GWC said:

They're known as pale form.

Pale form? OK, cheers.

[GWC]

jmorgan said:

GWC said:

They're known as pale form.

Pale form? OK, cheers.

Pale form or pale phase.

[groucho]

Could that be an Osprey migrating south?

[anonymous-user]

groucho said:

Could that be an Osprey migrating south?

I thought that as well, but not sure about the wings!

[jmorgan]

Found my big book of birds (filed away under "lost" hence the post) and looks buzardy but not matching the illustrations exactly (often see discrepancies). Took a load of shots as well.

[groucho]

I'll post it on the wild about birds forum. They know everything.

[jmorgan]

No problem. Be interesting to see what is what.


Off this ID topic, when we head north to the beacons, we see Red Kites coming further south every year. Might start seeing them in a few years.

Some more just in case

Edited by jmorgan on Sunday 6th October 14:30

[groucho]

Had a reply and it looks like a pale Buzzard.

[jmorgan]

GWC wins the biscuit. Cheers. Learn something new everyday.

[evoivboy]

i think its a Honey Buzzard

[DannyScene]

[quote=jmorgan]No problem. Be interesting to see what is what.


Off this ID topic, when we head north to the beacons, we see Red Kites coming further south every year. Might start seeing them in a few years.
[quote]
I see red kites almost daily on my to work or just walking around the locality, I live quite close to harewood house which runs a very good breed and release program for them

Even see them soaring over the council estate up the road, I assume looking for rats

[jmorgan]

Thought Kites were scavengers in the main? (no expert). We have Buzzards over our estate on occasion, getting more regular and I have seen a Sparrowhawk as well on a few occasions. I often wonder if Buzzards using the lamp posts for spotting stuff will evolve into flightless birds given a millennia or so...

Always a load around High Wycombe when I am in the area. I understand there was a release program. Saw one on my way into Coventry one morning as well, never seen one up there before. That is not to say there should not be any of course.

evoivboy, think it was ID further up?

[DannyScene]

Red kites are scavengers but my reckoning was council estates = high density of people so lots of rubbish, lots of rubbish = rats/mice etc, and where there are rats there will be dead ones also

[jmorgan]

Ah, yes. Around people you mean.....

Our mouser brings in a good few rats over the year. Sometimes they escape in the house and the fun and games begin. A worried rat takes a lot of disinfectant up.

[Nightmare]

jmorgan said:

Thought Kites were scavengers in the main? (no expert). We have Buzzards over our estate on occasion, getting more regular and I have seen a Sparrowhawk as well on a few occasions. I often wonder if Buzzards using the lamp posts for spotting stuff will evolve into flightless birds given a millennia or so...

I've just got to ask....how do you see that working exactly? How would a flightless bird then get up the lamppost...and more to the point what does it then do when it spots prey?! I'm now picturing a sort of flying 'people's elbow' from 12 foot up - which is making me laugh!