Bird of prey help!

[Stkez]

Hi all

I am new here and the reason Ive joined is because I have sited a very large bird twice now and I just dont know what it is.

I live in hampshire and am an avid watcher of Buzzards and Red kites as we have lots of them in my area.

This bird I need help with is twice the size of a buzzard or a kite, if not bigger. I would estimate wing span at about 7-8ft across, white head, large yellow beak. Body fades into a dark brown neck/body and a white tail.
I have googled this and seen that a white tailed sea eagle was regular inhabitant of Wiltshire about 3 years ago. Could the same bird have come into hampshire? How far do they fly from home?

I sited it about 4 weeks ago and again yesterday. The first time it was taking road kill as I was driving, it was ennormous on the ground and as it tried to take off it was very slow to get off the ground due to the massive wings. Yesterday it was in flight, flying over my yard, so this was a very brief siting.
I keep seeing people say its like a flying barn door. I would completly agree with this statement.

I am delighted to have seen it again, I would love to photograph it but always seem to be too slow.

anyway, I hope someone in my area has also seen this amazing bird and can tell me what it is I keep seeing.

thanks

[Farplace]

Hello, and welcome to the forum. It does sound very like an eagle. It would be great if you could get a photo. I am sure someone who knows more about these birds will be along with some answers for you.
Once again, a big WAB welcome!

[Stkez]

Thanks for the welcome.

I am fasinated by birds particularly birds of prey.

I became interested when I moved to hampshire and spotted my first buzzard. Since moving here I have sited barn owls, Red kites, Sparrow hawks, Buzzards and hopefully someone can tell me what my latest BoP addition is.

[faz]

hi welcome to wab from your description i would go with bald eagle lots of falconers fly these birds it may be a missing eagle from local falconer let your local police no the owner may have been in contact whith them

[FUDGEY]

Has to be an Eagle of some species, I would go for Sea Eagle. More chance of that than any other Id guess.

[rogpow]

Originally Posted by Stkez

I have googled this and seen that a white tailed sea eagle was regular inhabitant of Wiltshire about 3 years ago. Could the same bird have come into hampshire? How far do they fly from home?

Hi Stkev,

Whereabouts are you in Hants? The 2007 eagle was on the Wilts/Hants border near Shipton Belinger. It was a juvenile from Finnish Lapland.

Here's a link to the WAB thread about it:

White-tailed Eagle - Hampshire

Rog

[Stkez]

I am in Cole henley - Nr Whitchurch, hampshire.

[rogpow]

Not that far then, as the eagle flies.

[wint]

Around about the time of the wild Sea Eagle an (escaped) adult Bald Eagle was seen soaring to the north of Testwood (just N of Southampton).

Your description of white head fits Bald Eagle better.

HTH, Paul

[RobS]

I remember that bird, went twice missed it twice. Git.

Rob S