Help to identify bird of prey please

kldare · #1 (**permalink**) 08-12-2010, 08:15 AM

Hi - new to the site and would really appreciate some help identifying a bird of prey regularly seen locally (Bedfordshire). I attach photos

Hope I have done it right.... and looking to receiving advice from much more experienced bird watchers!

Gill Catton · #2 (**permalink**) 08-12-2010, 08:19 AM

That's a red kite that is

Dogghound · #3 (**permalink**) 08-12-2010, 08:26 AM

Yes Red kite.

htcdude · #4 (**permalink**) 08-12-2010, 11:05 AM

With a tail like that, it's gotta be a Red Kite (Milvus milvus)

kldare · #5 (**permalink**) 08-12-2010, 11:18 AM

Wow - thank you for all your help - there's obviously no doubt what it is! I thought the tail was very distinctive though. Are they common locally? I have seen what I thought was a Buzzard (daily) sitting on a telegraph pole. Would both be in the area? I apologise if my questions seem stupid

rossy · #6 (**permalink**) 08-12-2010, 11:33 AM

more than likely your spotting a buzzard, any chance you can get a photo, so it will be confirmed, and yes your lucky ,that is a red kite, none round our neck of the woods, and welcome, hope you enjoy the forum , rossy.

faz · #7 (**permalink**) 08-12-2010, 01:19 PM

as above a red kite

kldare · #8 (**permalink**) 08-12-2010, 02:55 PM

Thanks for the welcome Rossy - wish Id found this website a long time ago - its fascinating and packed with so much information and valueable advice. Will definitely try and get a photo of the "buzzard" ...but typically never seem to have my camera at the right moment!

Cuckoo Jack · #9 (**permalink**) 08-12-2010, 05:09 PM

Your bird will be a Buzzard. The presence of Red Kites attract Buzzards to an area probably because their feeding requirements are similar; there were barely any Buzzards in the Tyneside area prior to the Red Kite re-introduction there but now there are lots of them.

RoyW · #10 (**permalink**) 08-12-2010, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cuckoo Jack

Your bird will be a Buzzard. The presence of Red Kites attract Buzzards to an area probably because their feeding requirements are similar; there were barely any Buzzards in the Tyneside area prior to the Red Kite re-introduction there but now there are lots of them.

I'm not so sure about that Cuckoo Jack. It's just coincidence that the Red Kite reintroduction took place at a time when Buzzards were expanding their range back into areas that were occupied before persecution by gamekeepers.
The easterly spread of Common Buzzards has taken place across the whole of the UK, from previous strongholds in south-west & north-west England, Wales, and the west of Scotland. In some areas (eg. my area, and most of the south-east), the Buzzards have come before the Red Kites, although the Kites are starting to follow.