Having got up far too early 05.15 wasn't going to waste the morning so packed up sarnies, flask and gear and went to my fave area BB. Got for me a life tick while there
( two Buzzards mating), no not a mega, I'm not lucky enough for one of those and I'm quite happy seeing run-of-the-mill birds like the cracking Robin I saw this week here.Black Bank: 10.45 - 15.45 sunny and breezy
Sprawk - 2
Robin - 2
Moorhen - 2
Blackbird - 8m
Chaffinch - 4
Great Tit - 4 pics
Greylag - 8
Blue Tit - 1
LT Tit - 2 pics
Tree Creeper - 1 pics
GSW - 1 pics
Tufties - 2
Mute Swan - 2
Magpie - 2
Common & Black-head Gull - c150
Wood Pigeon - 28
Crow - 26
Linnet - c40
Cormorant - 1
Skylark - 3
Rook - 36
Greenfinch - 1
Kestrel - 5 pics
Black Swan - 1
Buzzard - 4 pics of three
I daresay the experts on here will probably have a laugh at my expense, go ahead be my pleasure. While driving down the lane I spotted two birds on a post, put the bins on and it was two Buzzards very close to each other then they started mating, with that I dropped the bins and picked up the camera as quick as I could but by the time I'd focused on them it was over, they both perched on a post one was lower down than the other but within touching distance, they looked very pale to me on the chest but normal on colour on the head and crown. Then one took off and I managed a pic of it taking into consideration it was at least 100 yards away and the light wasn't great.
Anyway I checked the photo and it puzzled me (don't forget I rarely get out these days and I haven't seen much of late ) because there is a white section to its tail not width-ways but length-ways and it looks to be about an inch wide, it could be a trick of the light I suppose. The finger tips of its wings were black with what looks to be grey next to them then browny with white specks. I've checked all my guide books including Collins 2nd edition etc but almost all show the undersides of the Buzz and only the juvenile is shown from above. So from this i'm no wiser
.It certainly isn't a Sprawk, Goshawk, Kite, Harrier, Honey I've seen all these and the guides don't point to any of them. If it had been earlier in year I would have suggested a Rough-leg but thats too late now.
My answer be it right or wrong is a Pale Morph Buzzard
I don't upload to the album because the program I used before I don't have and I now have the current version and I haven't a clue how to downsize small enough to put it on here. Anyway a very interesting session spotting 11 raptors plus an excellent supporting cast!
Kind regards
John
