Can anybody help identify these birds?

[mjas82]

Hello,

Sorry the picture is from such a distance, I can zoom a little on my computer, but can't manage to upload an enlarged pic. I saw this pair of birds yesterday, each sitting on a separate boulder in an open field on the eastern side of Dartmoor. They looked to me to be the size of a small hawk. while I was snapping away, a fox came into view also, so can be seen for size comparison. They each took flight while i was watching, flying away from me before returning to the rocks, so I could not get a closer look at them. They appeared mostly brown / darker in colour, although the far bird appears to have a patch of white on its back.

Can anyone help?

Thanks

[RobinP]

As nodoby else is sticking their neck out I'll hazard a guess at Common Buzzard, even though they look a little small, but too big for Merlin. Not easy from this photo

Anyone else?

Robin

P.S. Welcome to WAB, mjas82.

[Farplace]

Fox for size comparison is nearer to the camera.... so still difficult to tell. However, my guess would be buzzard as well.

[Rye]

Based on apparent size then buzzard seems the most likely, other than maybe an owl? Really hard to tell from these shots.

[NicolaB]

I'd go with buzzard, especially if one had white patchy bits

[mjas82]

Thank you for the replies, I know I didn't give you all much to go on! Looking at the birds in flight briefly, buzzard seems about right, I just thought they seemed a little small at the time.