British Birds of Prey

[Madelinew]

Could someone help with british birds of prey. I find it really difficult to identify most birds of prey unless I have plenty of time to do it. Or have an experienced birder on hand as I did once while watching the amazing sight of three Marsh harriers raiding little terns nests over Hickling Broad - better than a Red Arrow display any day even tho the brave Little Terns lost in the end. Buzzards I have no probs with cos there are loads locally and I can usually manage with kestrels but I do find it hard work otherwise. Is it purely a question of practice?

Last year, I did identify a pair of golden eagles over the Cuillins of Skye but that was because I knew there were pairs nesting in the area and they had a fairly characteristic flight pattern. So I knew those dots in the distance through my trusty binoculars (commonly known in the family as Mum's Knockers) were Golden Eagles.

I was up there again this year at the same time of year and this time armed with my trusty Nikon Spotting scope. Did the b*ggers appear? Huh! Spent ages looking and then found I had a buzzard gliding a distance above my head. Which I dismissed accordingly but my grandmother (a native of the Isle of Skye) found the buzzard just as exciting and if it had been my elusive eagles.

[John]

Hi Madeline and a very warm welcome to WAb from me.

BOP's are not an easy species to fathem out. There are a few that look similar and even those (especially Buzzards that have so many variations) that actually look different amongst themselves.

I'm afraid it's a question of patience and checking everything out with them and over a period of time come to terms with the different characteristics of each different species.

It's not too bad in Britain as there are not that many different species of BOP's here but even so the Goshawk / Sparrowhawk is still a major confusion species here as well as sometimes the Merlin / Sparrowhawk (even though thre Merlin is much smaller).

You need to get your eye in, together with a good BOP field guide as there is no easy route to identyfying not only BOP's but most birds in general.

BTW are you sure those distant Skye birds were Goldies as there are quite a few White-tailed eagles there as well. A much bigger bird I know, but if you weren't aware of them would you have known the difference.

John

[cannylad]

I have struggled over the years to ID raptors but gradually i am coming to terms with raptor jizz,thanks too more clued in birders.

Still make the odd mistake but i am gradually getting to grips with this fascinating group of birds.

Guess it all falls into place as you see more species.

[chunkychambers]

Welcome to WAB Madeline.......
Just to add to Johns comments, it's experience and a good ID field book, with photos rather than illustrations, and patience
BOPs can be confusing, males and females different sizes and colours, different species looking similar.....but stick with it you'll get there
My personal favourite bird is the Peregrine....a fantastic bird!!

BTW I'd like to see these binoculars of yours, they sound very interesting

Don't forget to post any questions or ID problems on here, you'll get loads of help...

All the best...Paul

[Madelinew]

Definitely goldies. Very high up in the Cuillins in an area where I knew they were nesting. They were actually just dots but I am confident that they weren't anything else due to where they were. Saw my first gannet on Skye too!