A gathering of Buzzards?

[Finndog]

Hello all,

I am a bit new to this posting lark, but I wanted to ask if any Wabber's had seen something like this,

A good twenty years ago while driving around North Devon I spotted 30+ buzzards thermalising over a single hill top. They seemed all to be common buzzards but I did not have any bins with me or a camera! I now live in Yorkshire but have never seen or even heard about this anywhere in the UK. Of course at the time I did not have anyone with me that could substantiate the sighting. From what I remember it was late spring/early summer and so probably a migtration gathering.

I was wondering if anyone else had seen anything like this in the UK?

[htcdude]

I've not seen them in numbers like that, have seen maybe 10 or so at Symonds Yat Rock viewpoint.

The sight will probably be becoming more noticable now as Buzzard populations seem to be doing really well. If the thermals are right you can see huge numbers, not sure what the highest record is but 30 is pretty good!

Also similar with Red Kite which I've seen c20 over The Chilterns.

Nige

[Stagemaster]

Makes the 4 ive seen this morning seem pretty poor!

[artdemole]

In my area of N.E. Somerset,I have at least twice seen flock of Buzzard of at least 30.This has been over Camerton Valley towards Dunkerton.Happened in the last year.Even reported in local paper over nearby Paulton.

[Finndog]

Thanks for replying folks, I have only ever seen it the once and it was on the hills just south of the Ilfracombe/Combe Martin area. Growing up I used to see them all the time in the Westcountry but now thankfully Buzzards are making a come back throughout the UK! I have always thought that they are Britain's Littlest Eagle.

[Dogghound]

One day in September last year had c.30 common buzzard, 1 marsh harrier and c.5 honey buzzards at Flamborough with another c.60 common buzzards over spurn this was over an hour period max c.25 together and is most likely Scandineavian birds on passage along the East coast, this happens every year. So potential to see good numbers if you are in Yorkshire.

[Finndog]

Thanks for that Dogghound, during this years snows there was a Buzzard with a rather unique white "V" on its chest hanging around the area where we walk the dogs. On Christmas day it was joined by a pair of Sparrowhawks, a male Kessie and a few Jays. Also the hedgerows were crammed with mixed flocks of Redwing, Mistlethrush and Fieldfare and as soon as the snow melted they all but disappeared! I guess these would have been birds from the Continent pushed west by the conditions. I would like to see have seen the Buzzard again....