Are there buzzards in London?

loripo · #11 (**permalink**) 10-08-2010, 12:28 PM

JMJH mentions seeing them near the Royal Hospital and that is only a short distance from my park, as the buzzard flies

Tringa · #12 (**permalink**) 10-08-2010, 06:16 PM

I have not seen any buzzards in central London, but I have seen one where the M11 and M25 cross, which is not too far away and I have seen a few from the northern section of the M25. I have also seen one gliding very high from my back garden in east London.

Have a look at the Tower 42 birding group, who bird watch from the top of Tower 42 in the City and have some good sightings of BoP.

Dave

PS Thanks for the link to Greenspace Information for Greater London, Mandy.

kestrel76 · #13 (**permalink**) 11-08-2010, 02:48 PM

I think it`s fair to say that Buzzards could now potentially be seen anywhere in Britain. They are now the most common bird of prey over here, having overtaken the kestrel (sadly in my opinion) in that respect. What a wonderful sight - buzzards just lazily circling around above your head as you look up into a clear blue sky!

Londoner · #14 (**permalink**) 17-08-2010, 01:42 PM

I believe i saw a buzzard last week in London around Blackfriars. It looked very similar to an eagle. It was brown and had a wingspan of around 1 metre.

I'm not sure if it was trying to attack me but it flew towards me and I had to duck.

I've never seen such a bird in London and found it quite intimidating. I didn't know what type of bird it was until I went online and saw it closely matched a picture of buzzard.

Just wondering if anyone else has seen a similar bird in Central London lately?

Londoner · #15 (**permalink**) 17-08-2010, 02:02 PM

I believe i saw a buzzard last week in London around Blackfriars. It looked very similar to an eagle. It was brown and had a wingspan of around 1 metre.

I'm not sure if it was trying to attack me but it flew towards me and I had to duck.

I've never seen such a bird in London and found it quite intimidating. I didn't know what type of bird it was until I went online and saw it closely matched a picture of buzzard.

Just wondering if anyone else has seen a similar bird in Central London lately?

aeshna5 · #16 (**permalink**) 17-08-2010, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Londoner

I believe i saw a buzzard last week in London around Blackfriars. It looked very similar to an eagle. It was brown and had a wingspan of around 1 metre.

I'm not sure if it was trying to attack me but it flew towards me and I had to duck.

I've never seen such a bird in London and found it quite intimidating. I didn't know what type of bird it was until I went online and saw it closely matched a picture of buzzard.

Just wondering if anyone else has seen a similar bird in Central London lately?

The Buzzards seen from central London are usually flying over + not down feeding, etc. Maybe you encountered a falconer's bird? Birds like Harris Hawks are regularly used to deter pigeons in the city.

It's highly unlikely you met a wild Buzzard in the middle of the city that was intent on attacking you!

Londoner · #17 (**permalink**) 17-08-2010, 04:32 PM

My knowledge of birds is quite narrow and it might well have been a Harris Hawk! I've never seen a bird so big in London. It scared the hell out of me!