Bird ID Please Anyone ?

SuzieandFlo · #1 (**permalink**) 17-07-2010, 01:50 AM

I took this picture last Sunday at Vane Farm RSPB reserve.
I apologise for the rubbish quality, the bird was flying quite a distance away and I took the picture in a hurry before I lost sight of it. The bird was on the Kinross side of Loch Leven and I was in a hide at the opposite side (Waterson Hide , the middle hide across the road from Vane Farm Visitor Centre).
Look above the water at the houses opposite to see the bird. It's not a great picture but wondered if anyone could possibly ID the bird.

nigel_b · #2 (**permalink**) 17-07-2010, 10:10 AM

I guess it's not, but it looks like someone flying a kite on the far side of the water!

Gracie · #3 (**permalink**) 17-07-2010, 10:21 AM

If you bring the picture up as far as it will go it does look as though it has some white or cream on it's head, could it be an Osprey, also the wings look like an Osprey's any one else any ideas?

Gracie

FUDGEY · #4 (**permalink**) 17-07-2010, 12:01 PM

I zoomed in and thought Buzzard as it has more dark than an Osprey????

Picidae · #5 (**permalink**) 17-07-2010, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gracie

If you bring the picture up as far as it will go it does look as though it has some white or cream on it's head, could it be an Osprey, also the wings look like an Osprey's any one else any ideas?

Gracie

Agreed. Osprey most likely given wing shape and flight gizz. (And the fact it's flying low over water doesn't hurt any!). Could be a young fledgling (hence contrast between dark primaries and mottled upper wing.

Blenkas · #6 (**permalink**) 17-07-2010, 03:07 PM

Definitely Osprey. Wing shape and even what little can be seen of it's markings stand out a mile.

Just realised - my first ever post!! So Hello folks!

Tringa · #7 (**permalink**) 17-07-2010, 03:46 PM

Some excellent skills shown here

Lo Blenk.

Dave

Jonathan · #8 (**permalink**) 17-07-2010, 06:46 PM

It appears to have a two-tone wing and a pale back - surely an osprey would show a uniform dark colour all over wings and back? Why is it not a grey heron?

Cheers
Jonathan

SuzieandFlo · #9 (**permalink**) 17-07-2010, 07:08 PM

WOW ! What amazing skills you guys have in identifying from a bad picture.
THANKYOU

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I did wonder if it was an Osprey but as I've never seen one before , I wasn't sure. I know there are Ospreys in that area , my Sister and her BF saw one on a previous visit.
Back to your amazing skills !
I had zoomed in as far as I could on the original picture to see if I could ID the bird. It appears to have a white head with a dark line through its eye. The angle is rubbish for showing any other markings , although I can make out lighter colouring on the underside of the furthest away wing.
While watching the bird in flight after taking the picture , although it was flying away from me , I could see clearly it was lighter on its underside.
There is a flock of Lapwing at that part of the reserve but this bird was alot bigger than a Lapwing.
If it's definitely an Osprey , then that's another first for me

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I have a week off work in August so I'll go back to Vane Farm to spend a bit of time there. Last weekend my Sister, her BF and their 8 year old daughter were there with me. It was a day of stopping for a little while then moving on to the next bit. I prefer to stay in one place for a few hours, just waiting and watching

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Gracie · #10 (**permalink**) 18-07-2010, 09:26 AM

I hope it's sorted for you, Osprey are stunning birds, to see one fishing is a real treat, something my hubby and I have watched lots and lots of times in Scotland, but never tire of, I didn't think it was a buzzard because of the shape of it's wings and the way it seems to "fold" down in the middle. Good luck next time.

Gracie