birdy

[stubaynton]

Seen circling my house near RAF Brize Norton for the last couple of weeks, obviously a bird of prey. Stands out a mile because we've not had anything around here since i moved here 25 years ago. Theres a pair and they stick together like glue.

A freind said maybe Buzzard?

[clydebirder]

Originally Posted by stubaynton

Seen circling my house near RAF Brize Norton for the last couple of weeks, obviously a bird of prey. Stands out a mile because we've not had anything around here since i moved here 25 years ago. Theres a pair and they stick together like glue.

A freind said maybe Buzzard?

It is indeed a Common Buzzard, a very pale bird it is too. They are very variable in plumage and birds like this can be confused for Long-legged or Rough-legged Buzzard

cheers, John

[stubaynton]

hi. thanks for the relpy.

what would bring them to this area? we havn't seen anything more exotic than a pigeon in 25 years.

[clydebirder]

Originally Posted by clydebirder

It is indeed a Common Buzzard, a very pale bird it is too. They are very variable in plumage and birds like this can be confused for Long-legged or Rough-legged Buzzard

cheers, John

Buzzards are increasing in numbers, it could either be birds just passing through or a young pair looking for a new territory.

I did see a Buzzard at Hailey just north of Witney in June 2007 so they are certainly nearby.

cheers, John

[stubaynton]

Hi thanks for the replies.

I guess they are a young pair looking to settle, as its coming up to 3 weeks from being first spotted. They spend hours circling (on thermals i guess), 1 quite low (the 1 in the photo) and the second one is a quite a few hundred feet higher.

I guess they must be hunting? Should i worry about my kittens lol?

sorry if my questions sound nooby.

Stu