Bird of Prey I.D needed??

[wildherbalian85]

Ok so these birds certainly had all the other birds keeping a distance. There were two of them and they where roughly the size of a medium sized buzzard, they had distinct white tipped wings and tails and where very vocal..... this i believe was mainly because i was there. When he pair where not flying around me they spent their time on a field.

[valleyforge]

They look an awful lot like lapwings.

[wildherbalian85]

Originally Posted by valleyforge

They look an awful lot like lapwings.

I think u might be right

Strange that they where on field approx 1.5 miles from the nearest water source.

[Saxdude]

Looks like a pair of Lapwing to me.

[valleyforge]

Originally Posted by wildherbalian85

Strange that they where on field approx 1.5 miles from the nearest water source.

That's not so unusual really. They favour arable farmland/short grassland for breeding, and although the youngsters like to feed in damp areas, standing or running water is not a necessity for them.

[diggleken]

Originally Posted by valleyforge

That's not so unusual really. They favour arable farmland/short grassland for breeding, and although the youngsters like to feed in damp areas, standing or running water is not a necessity for them.

Absolutely right, although a wader, they dont need water to breed - we have quite a good breeding poulation up here in the pennines, but they are losing ground further south.
They are also called a lot of other common names, including green plover and peewit , which name is from its normal call, but the alarm call is more screamy when you get too close! And they will try and swoop to frighten you and persuade you away from the fledged chicks, they can do this with cattle too - you should really leave them to get on with it.............the chicks are lovely though and bear watching with pleasure, quite well camouflaged to help them avoid predation as they start life in an open field!
Well done to get the pics too - always help with ID.
cheers
Ken

[wildherbalian85]

I would like to thank you all for the information you have shared

I must admit with the wing span & shape i did think it was maybe some kind of bird of prey. Silly me