Help identify birds of prey

[EyeInTheSky]

Can someone please identify these birds of prey, we have an idea what they are but don't want to influence anyone's opinion. These birds have been spotted from our garden regularly over the last couple of months, we live close to Sedgley Beacon near Wolverhampton. There are 3 of them, one larger than the other 2. Sometimes they are all together, other times in ones and twos. The 2 smaller ones tend to stay fairly close together and sometimes appear to playfully "dogfight". They glide on the thermals and can be very acrobatic, sometimes swooping down behind trees. They don't hover as a Kestrel would. We always know when they are around as the crows and wood pigeons in the wooded area at the back of our house start to fly away in a panic. We have taken quite a few photos and viewed them through binoculars and they don't appear to be tagged.

[James M]

They all look like Common Buzzards Buteo buteo, but I'm no expert.

[aeshna5]

Agree, all Buzzards.

[Wild-Woman]

Wish I could see Buzzards from my garden!

[Pete Collins]

Nice photos of Buzzards!

They seem to be doing very well, I see them regularly all over the northern Home Counties, even quite close to major towns.

Originally Posted by Wild-Woman

Wish I could see Buzzards from my garden!

From other threads, they do seem to be becoming more common in Kent, so you could be lucky one day!

[Jenny W]

Yeah, Buzzards have extended their range massively in the last 20/30 years or so. They were very much confined to western Britain, but since the 1970's/80's they have come further east and now can be seen in most areas of the UK and are considered the most common B.O.P. in the UK.

BTO CBC/BBS data from 1967-2006 suggests a 419% population change.

[diggleken]

yes indeed, terrific increase for a lovely bird - seen at my local B&Q car park besides on the moors - and over 30 on a week down in somerset recently, many at Shapwick Heath.
Ken

[Tracey.A]

I see Buzzards quite a lot, but even though they are common at my local reserve I still get a thrill when I see them.

Tracey

[RoyW]

Originally Posted by EyeInTheSky

~ There are 3 of them, one larger than the other 2. Sometimes they are all together, other times in ones and twos. The 2 smaller ones tend to stay fairly close together and sometimes appear to playfully "dogfight".

All three are Common Buzzards (as stated by others). Almost all birds of prey have noticeable size differences between males and females, with females larger than males - which would explain the size difference that you have noticed. The 'dogfights' are probably exactly that - two males fighting over territory!

Roy.

[ChrisJB]

About five years ago, they were virtually unheard of in my neck of the woods, but I've seen a couple from the house in recent months. Including one on Christmas Day last year. I almost dropped the turkey.

Regards, Chris