Raptor ID on Autumnwatch

[RobS]

Hmmmm........

I watched Autumnwatch tonight (which was enjoyable) and was interested to see them on Mull, a great place I have been lucky enough to visit.

There was a video of a 'Buzzard' which as it banked to the left showed a white tail with dark terminal band. Goodness me I thought, a Rough Legged Buzzard. I even looked in Lars Jonnson's book and indeed it said the RLB is immediately identifiable by its white tail and dark terminal band and hovers regularly (as this bird did. Although I have seen Common Buzzard do that too).

After the VT Martin HG commented on its white appearance and Chris P said it was a pale form. I have seen all sorts of Buzzard, dark and pale morphs, but do not remember such a distinctive tail.

Was it just a Common Buzzard - looked a good RLB to me!

They also thought they saw a Hobby mobbing a Golden Eagle, was that right?

Thanks

Rob S

[RKB]

It had a very pale belly. Check the book again.

Some buzzards are superficially similar, and a trip for the unwary. But rough-leg are a different structure too (longer wings). The main plaumge characters are the tail pattern, the belly and the underwing pattern. You need all three.

[Littlesparrow]

Good program, it really showed just how big the sea eagles are, amazing. I've only seen eagles in Spain and America and would love to see them here. I couldn't I.D. the birds I'm afraid, I have enough trouble with the usual ones.

[Picidae]

Originally Posted by RobS

Hmmmm........

Was it just a Common Buzzard - looked a good RLB to me!

They also thought they saw a Hobby mobbing a Golden Eagle, was that right?

Thanks

Rob S

It was a Common Buzzard and (late) Hobby mobbing the Eagle.

[FUDGEY]

On the subject of Autumnwatch....Anyone see Unsprung last night? I watch it every week and it came to a point that Sarah Biggins was winning the comp they had every week. It was really difficult sometimes and I began to question how someone could be so knowledgeable on so many subjects. Well it was a pub quiz last night and she was invited on along with her hubby as guest panellists and IMO she was exposed as a total imposter. Dont think they got a single question right in the whole show, even pretty easy ones at times to.

[htcdude]

Yeah it's easier when you're sitting at home and you have the internet to help you :-)


Am enjoying Autumnwatch again this year, missed Chris' science geek bit last night though :-(

[FUDGEY]

Yeah Mrs Google I am really enjoying it this year too, just wish it was on every night. Last nights episode wasnt up to much IMO. Totally disorganised with people talking over each other all the time. I hope they dont do one like that again.

[RobS]

Well I will bow to your superior knowledge but I can't find an image on Google of a Common Buzzard with such a RLB style tail (well not yet).

Thanks

Rob S

[Acipiter]

What time of the year was the film taken? I thought RL buzzard did not arrive until later on, and stay until spring, as for superior knowledge, no comment.

[Dogghound]

Originally Posted by Acipiter

I thought RL buzzard did not arrive until later on, and stay until spring, as for superior knowledge, no comment.

They usually come on passage, very few birds winter here. There are 4 up in Cleveland at the moment which might possibly winter. They generally start arriving in good numbers mid to late October and run through until around March although ive had a bird in May.