buzzard

[nightshade]

i met an old mate today and was reminded of a time we worked together in wales,
the railway line ran close to where we worked and just after a unit (train) had passed by the buzzard would leave its perch and follow in its wake, taking whatever prey was disturbed, as it was a busy line this was a frequent occurrence

[StuartDH]

Very clever.

Whilst in Cumbria a couple of years ago, a farmer told me that a local buzzard sat on a nearby telegraph pole virtually all day, just waiting to pick up roadkill at a couple of nearby road junctions. I took a trip up there and sure enough he was sitting there waiting for dinner. Seems to be a very efficient way of getting food with miniumum effort, but your buzzard's tactics are genius.

[Helen]

Living in the heart of Red Kite country, they are frequent visitors to my garden. When my cats bring in a mouse/vole etc, and if they haven't already eaten it, I throw it up on the garage roof, and the kites swoop down for it.

I've had a buzzard come down once, appears he was taking a vole or wood mouse (still alive, not on the roof!).

Here's a pic of a couple of the kites making a swoop.

[nightshade]

wow, can i come and live with you? ,do your birds have Equity cards?
please keep the pics coming i have seen buzzards close up through a windscreen
but these are superb!




1

[John]

Originally Posted by Helen

Living in the heart of Red Kite country, they are frequent visitors to my garden. When my cats bring in a mouse/vole etc, and if they haven't already eaten it, I throw it up on the garage roof, and the kites swoop down for it.

I've had a buzzard come down once, appears he was taking a vole or wood mouse (still alive, not on the roof!).

Here's a pic of a couple of the kites making a swoop.

Hi Helen

I thought I recognised those photos.

It's reader from BF. I have just joined as well. Cracking photos as usual.

Buzzards are great opportunists and will always hang around where they know there is a regular supply of food. They are lovely birds and I have attached a couple of photo's I have of one very confiding individual.

[Helen]

Hello John! Great images you have there.

They are cracking birds aren't they.

Regards

[John]

Originally Posted by Helen

Hello John! Great images you have there.

They are cracking birds aren't they.

Regards

Glad you liked them Helen. They were taken at the Red Kite centre at Gigrin Farm near Rhayder in Wales.

BTW I have put a few images in the Gallery if you fancy browsing over them.

[one who waits]

I LOVE Buzzards. To me they are a mini golden Eagle.

I've become quite good at spotting them high in the sky, it is amazing how they can soar at great speeds. I wish they were more around my town.

Great photo's btw Helen.

[Helen]

Originally Posted by one who waits

I LOVE Buzzards. To me they are a mini golden Eagle.

I've become quite good at spotting them high in the sky, it is amazing how they can soar at great speeds. I wish they were more around my town.

Great photo's btw Helen.

Thanks for the comments, and welcome to the forum!

Here's a pic of another regular above the house, this time, a very very pale common buzzard (Buteo buteo).

[one who waits]

Thanks,

Very cool picture.

How come you're exposed to birds of prey so easily, do you live on a farm or something?