Common Buzzard

barry island

I saw a Buzzard earlier today flying not far above roof top level, around and around as if it had spotted something, at one point I thought that it was going to land in the street behind my house but after a few more circuits it flew off towards the pine plantation which is about a mile away, a couple of doves flying low scarpered in the opposite direction and the mob of sparrows and finches which had been feeding in my next door neighbours overgrown brambles shot off into her conifers. Beautiful bird the buzzard I have seen them flying high before but the first time that I have seen one that close.

philippasmith2

Hard to beat a buzzard particularly when they circle high overhead and call.  We are lucky here ( SW ) as it isn't uncommon to spot 4 or 5 individuals  perched on telegraph poles, fence posts etc. on each trip into the nearest town. 

Hostafan1

We used to have one which "lived" in the garden. I could ride the lawn mower within about 10m of him as he sat on a fence post watching me.

philippasmith2

One of the reasons I like them is that they do tend to sit and look down on us mere humans - puts us in our rightful place I think

Beefley

We are lucky and see them every day here (Dartmoor).  We have a big old oak tree in the garden and they often land in that, not more than 50ft or so from the house.  They are magnificent close up, and huge!  

philippasmith2

They are also quite pungent smelling at close quarters.  I only learned that when driving along the road near my house in France and saw a buzzard on the verge - an obvious recent casualty from the traffic.  However, I couldn't decide whether it was still alive or not as it was moving so I stopped and picked it up.  Altho it was still warm, the movement obviously came from the passing traffic which wafted it about.  Probably sounds mad but I put it in my car, took it home and buried it with due honours.  It did niff  but not a decomposing smell.  

Lyn

They sit on the post here as well, I love the way they never venture out of their own bit of territory,  the rotten crows give them hell in the sky  I don’t know why they don’t attack them but they’re a very unobtrusive bird.
I love to see them teaching their baby to fly and soar, talking to it all the way. 

AWB

Here in north Essex buzzards and red kite now quite common

Joyce Goldenlily

I love my pair of buzzards which reside on the hill at the bottom of my garden. I sit in my conservatory and watch their activities throughout the year, from courting, teaching the young ones to fly and hunt to chasing the youngsters away to find their own territories. They play on the thermals and the sound of their mewing is just like a small kitten calling for its mother. I have seen them lifting a rabbit from the field and the hysterical screams from the youngsters when they first begin flying is hilarious. I have lived here for 20 years and there has never been a year without "my buzzards" raising at least 2 youngsters. I know some farmers consider them vermin but for me they are a delight.

Fire

My picture from the summer at Knepp.

Joyce Goldenlily

Have just been watching my buzzards which have increased to 4 so presumably one of the offspring has managed to stay put and found some territory for itself. There was one hanging out around the local village green last year. There is an incoming storm forecast so possibly the 4 are staying close to home to hunt today.They have been flying very low which is unusual.