Sighting of Golden Eagle/Red Kite in Midlands

Suzieturnip · #1 (**permalink**) 17-10-2010, 08:37 PM

I was lucky to see a white tailed eagle on a visit to the Isle of Mull in July this year. I was able to appreciate the size of the bird in flight. Where we live we have buzzards flying over regularly and I am familiar with them too. Whilst driving back from Telford to Stafford yesterday (Saturday 16th Oct) whilst joing the A449 from the A5 at Gailey saw an extremely large bird in flight. I had to take several looks as it was the largest bird in flight I have ever seen. Having reviewed the birds of prey I am convinced it must be either a golden eagle or a red kite!!

Farplace · #2 (**permalink**) 17-10-2010, 08:40 PM

shame you didnt get a photo :-)

RKB · #3 (**permalink**) 17-10-2010, 08:40 PM

Kites are about the same size as Buzzards but slimmer with a longer wingspan. Golden Eagles are huge, half as big again, but would be a once in a lifetime occurrence in the Midlands. But Kites and Buzzards are pretty common.

diggleken · #4 (**permalink**) 17-10-2010, 08:46 PM

Hi suzie, welcome to WAB!
If you have seen Eagles and know Kites, you will know they are so very different, not only in size, but behaviour and colour etc etc too - where was it and did you note any other species to compare for size?
Did you spot any outstanding features such as a forked tail or reddish colour?
And if you can be confused with these two, how about Buzzard or Sparrowhawk?
Sorry to be a pest, but it needs a bit more in description, behaviour and location to ID reasonably for a BOP!
Eagle is extremely unlikely.

Cheers
Ken

Suzieturnip · #5 (**permalink**) 17-10-2010, 09:16 PM

Thanks for all the responses, my post was lacking in detail I apologise. If Kites are the same size as buzzards then they are ruled out. This bird was huge and I remember seeing feathered shapes not straight wings and definitely not a forked tail. It wasn't all one colour it was a combination of dark brown and white/light coloured markings underneath. My exact location was Gailey just past the junction of the A449 and A5.

captaincarot · #6 (**permalink**) 17-10-2010, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suzieturnip

It wasn't all one colour it was a combination of dark brown and white/light coloured markings underneath.

buzzard

Picidae · #7 (**permalink**) 17-10-2010, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suzieturnip

It wasn't all one colour it was a combination of dark brown and white/light coloured markings underneath. My exact location was Gailey just past the junction of the A449 and A5.

A late juv. Osprey migrating is one possibility (longer wingspan than buzzard) but Common Buzzard rather likely. Both WTE and GE have a generally very dark gizz on the underparts with little contrasting underwing pattern from a distance - given your fleeting views (from the car).

Osprey
http://www.charliesbirdblog.com/~cha...juv_osprey.jpg
Galleriet - Netfugl.dk
Galleriet - Netfugl.dk

Goatboy · #8 (**permalink**) 18-10-2010, 03:19 AM

Certainly LOTS of Buzzards in that part of the world and I have seen a Red Kite near Loggerheads but they are much rarer in Staffs and Shropshire.

If there is a Golden Eagle knocking around I'm sure others will see it so keep your eyes out on the net forums for other sightings.

Otherwise, I'd go for Buzzard. Picidae's suggestion of Osprey should also be considered. We do get them passing through quite often.

nigel_b · #9 (**permalink**) 18-10-2010, 06:23 AM

One option I've not seen in this sort of thread is: could it be a falconer's bird?

RoyW · #10 (**permalink**) 18-10-2010, 06:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nigel_b

One option I've not seen in this sort of thread is: could it be a falconer's bird?

And if the size has been judged correctly, that would be a very reasonable suggestion. The possibility of escapes from captivity is occasionally raised on bird id threads though - including those on raptors.