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ID a big bird

nutcutletnutcutlet PeterboroughPosts: 26,848
in Wildlife gardening

I see this one from time to time flying low over the fen.

A raptor, biggish. Dark brown back, lighter under the wings, It lacks the white band at the base of the tail like the hen harrier. When I first saw it I thought it was a harrier of some sort but I'm not so sure now. It's not a kite or a buzzard. I recognise those 2 

Any ideas?

 

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Posts

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Central Norfolk UKPosts: 82,124

    Honey buzzard?  They're seen fairly frequently nowadays between you and us. 

    http://www.bto.org/about-birds/bird-id/bto-bird-id-summer-buzzards-common-buzzard-and-honey-buzzard

    “I am not lost, for I know where I am. But however, where I am may be lost.” Winnie the Pooh







  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Derbyshire but with a Nottinghamshire postcode. Posts: 16,461

    I dont know what you've got, Nut.

     The first time I saw frigate birds circling,(not in this country) I thought they looked like pterodactyls.

  • nutcutletnutcutlet PeterboroughPosts: 26,848

    I always think herons have a touch of the prehistoric about them in flight

  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Derbyshire but with a Nottinghamshire postcode. Posts: 16,461

    I know what you mean. We get them every spring at frog gangbang time. Because of large trees they don't have a direct flight path, so have a very ungainly circling landing.

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Central Norfolk UKPosts: 82,124

    Oh yes, love herons - we get them over here a lot because of the marshes over the hill - sometimes I hear them calling as they pass over and I rush outside to watch.  One of my absolute favourite birds - in fact, definitely my most favourite bird image

    If you watch the video I posted the link to - you'll see a real difference in the 'jizz' of the honey buzzard to the common ones (have seen plenty of common buzzards your way Nut ). 

    I'm fairly certain I saw a honey buzzard last year near Pensthorpe - the set of the 'head and shoulders' is quite different to a common buzzard. 

    “I am not lost, for I know where I am. But however, where I am may be lost.” Winnie the Pooh







  • Lupin 1Lupin 1 Posts: 8,916

    Don't think I've ever seen a buzzard in flight. We do frequently see a heron as lady a few doors away has a large pnd and we have fishing ponds near us. They make me laugh especially before they "tuck their legs up". Obviously Ornithology not my subject.

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Central Norfolk UKPosts: 82,124

    KEF, are you far from Sheffield?  We saw buzzards not far from there a few years ago - think there are quite a few in the Peak District. 

    “I am not lost, for I know where I am. But however, where I am may be lost.” Winnie the Pooh







  • Lupin 1Lupin 1 Posts: 8,916

    Dove, about nine miles as the crow flies image

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Central Norfolk UKPosts: 82,124

    Well, just go into the Peaks on a warm sunny day and lie on the grass gazing up into the sky and listen for a mewing sound - there'll be one soaring above you 

    You can hear the call here 

    https://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/b/buzzard/index.aspx

    If you've got nothing better to do that is - mind you I can't think of many things better than that image

    “I am not lost, for I know where I am. But however, where I am may be lost.” Winnie the Pooh







  • Lupin 1Lupin 1 Posts: 8,916

    Thanks Dove, I'll save that link for later, or at least until I've had more tea. Sent PM.

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