Could it be an Osprey

[Stomperone]

Whilst out on Dartmoor near a reservoir I saw a large bird perhaps about half as big again as a crow landing in a tree beside the lake.. It was fairly dark in colour and I only saw it from the back but as it flared its tail to land the tail was very white looking.. I have looked at several pictures of large birds and the only one I can see that may remotely resemble the one i saw was an Osprey..

I don't think there are any osprey on Dartmoor so I am looking for guidance ..
Could it have been an osprey or am I going nuts (again)

[rlchew]

It is extremely unlikley to be in an Osprey both on Dartmoor and in January.

Having said that, I am slightly at a loss to suggest what your bird was .... a Common Buzzard perhaps? .... there will be plenty of those on Dartmoor and all year round.

Richard

[Stomperone]

It was only a fleeting glance but it Definately had a white-ish tail which threw me. I am not too good at bird recognition but I didn't think common buzzard had whiteish tails.. the size would be about right though ..

I think i may have to go back to looking at some more pictures..

Thank you
Peter

[RaptorBirder]

Hi there,

Ospreys are summer visitors to Britain so they should all be in West Africa at this time of year.

I think the short answer to your question is no but may I suggest that the raptor you saw was probably a Common Buzzard. These occur in a variety of colour morphs from dark brown to almost white, with just about every combination in between.

Hope this helps.

[Stomperone]

Thank you Raptor birder ...

I am still very new to bird recognition as you may be able to tell from my "Is this a pipit " thread.. It turned out to be a linnet..

[RaptorBirder]

Hi Stomperone,

Seeing and appreciating the bird in the first place is far more important than being able to put a name to it.

Besides the birds don't know or care what names we hominids call them!

Keep watching.

[Geoff F]

Devon is on the 'flight path' of Ospreys but as others have mentioned, it is still very early in the year; but it is a very mild winter. Even so I would think, on the grounds of probability, it was a buzzard.

[ChrisJB]

Unlikely I know, but Rough Legged Buzzards show plenty of white on the tail. Agree, pale Buzzard much more likely though!

Regards, Chris

[VinceS]

Rough-legged buzzard is a possiblilty as they are winter visitors but a bit too early for Osprey (but you never know)

Vince

[RobinP]

Could be an escaped Harris Hawk, white rump and white tip to tail, otherwise Buzzard-like from a distance.