Buzzard Behaviour

[gentlefern]

I was sat watching what I assume to be a family of 3 Buzzards last Tuesday. They were circling and calling above a wildflower meadow on Gower. I did try to film them, but the results are rubbish! Anyway, one of the 3 flew over and sort of barged into the other, but it looked more like a gentle nudge rather than an attack. They then separated and one of the three flew further away and stooped over a newly cut hay meadow.

I was delighted at seeing one stoop. I've never seen that before. I was a little curious about the other behaviour though. I wonder if anyone on here has seen that or even better, knows what they were doing. It definitely wasn't another species mobbing them. It seemed almost like a nudge of encouragement to me.

cheers

[Dave66]

Hi,

I have seen this kind of behaviour with buzzards. We have a lot in Argyll and they can be seen doing all sorts of acrobatics. Sometimes chasing each other and sometimes giving each other a nudge. It's like they are playing. I have even seen buzzards playing with carrier bags in mid air. They will drop them and let them fall before stooping and grabbing the bag and climbing again to drop it again. Sometimes if there is more than one bird they take turns with the bag. I think it is probably young birds learning hunting skills through play.

Cheers

Dave.

[rossy]

it is possible that , it was a young one , and the parent bird was giving it a nudge to move it on, as its time for it to fend for itself, rossy.

[gentlefern]

Thanks Dave and Rossy,

Wow how mad is that, playing with plastic bags? Must be incredible to see, but what a shame they have play with the dreaded plastic bag!

Thankfully, the reserve I'm using as my class-room doesn't have public access as yet, so we have absolutely no litter. I've been doing a lot of species recording up there this summer but it's the first time I've seen all of the Buzzards together. I've heard them calling and seen one at a time so I was thrilled by that anyway. I think they may be getting used to my presence as I mainly sit and take photos and consult the field guides. I'm not much of a threat I guess.

It is getting late in the season, so I suppose the parents might be encouraging their off-spring to leave.

cheers