Buzzards

leeroy · #1 (**permalink**) 19-09-2011, 07:34 PM

Does anyone know if there is a reason for prolific sightings of buzzards at this time of year ?
It seemed to start around the last two weeks of August & I am seeing them almost every day I am out with the dogs & at different times of the day.
Usually its a lone bird or a pair, but I saw four in one area last week & three again today in the same area over Ashenbank Woods near Gravesend in Kent, I assume that these were the same birds as last time. One came quite close & low as it was being hassled by a crow today & I could see it was definitely a common buzzard.
Location is small wooded copses surrounded by large areas of farmland, country parks & orchards, split in half by the A2 & the Eurostar rail link.

Just thought I would ask, because I don't normally see this many or as often ?

John D · #2 (**permalink**) 19-09-2011, 07:50 PM

Around my patch Buzzards can be seen all year round. At this time of year it is very common to see three or four soaring overhead,being parents and juveniles.

The Buzzard is one bird that has become more common in recent years.

John D

Zenfolio | John's Wild World

Dorts · #3 (**permalink**) 19-09-2011, 07:51 PM

I've noticed the same increase here in N Wales.
It's all this years youngsters out and about with their parents.
Their showing them the ropes as it were.
Dorts.

faz · #4 (**permalink**) 19-09-2011, 08:52 PM

its all the young,All been fed on caught Squirrel

leeroy · #5 (**permalink**) 19-09-2011, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dorts

I've noticed the same increase here in N Wales.
It's all this years youngsters out and about with their parents.
Their showing them the ropes as it were.
Dorts.

Would that explain why one is particularly larger than the others ?

Looks around 30cm larger in wingspan & a bit chunkier all over & its the one that always seems to get hassled by the other birds.

billybirder · #6 (**permalink**) 19-09-2011, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leeroy

Would that explain why one is particularly larger than the others ?

Looks around 30cm larger in wingspan & a bit chunkier all over & its the one that always seems to get hassled by the other birds.

Not sure about buzzards but many birds of prey the female is significantly larger than the male

John D · #7 (**permalink**) 19-09-2011, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leeroy

Would that explain why one is particularly larger than the others ?

Looks around 30cm larger in wingspan & a bit chunkier all over & its the one that always seems to get hassled by the other birds.

The female is larger than the male. The wingspan of a Buzzard is in the range 110 - 132 cms.

John D
http://johnswildworld.zenfolio.com/

RoyW · #8 (**permalink**) 20-09-2011, 08:54 AM

It may be that you are seeing local breeding pairs with their young, but you could also be seeing passage migrants which are moving through (August and September are the peak months for passage of birds from elsewhere in the UK, and from Europe, through the south-east).

artdemole · #9 (**permalink**) 20-09-2011, 09:02 AM

With the harvest gathered and land being ploughed,The buzzards are having a field day spotting their pray.More seen this time of year.

leeroy · #10 (**permalink**) 20-09-2011, 10:24 AM

Thanks for all of the info, as people say you learn something every day !

I was out this morning, but no buzzards about today, just a lone sparrow hawk hunting above the canopy, plenty of green woodpeckers as usual.

Also a large flock of martins feeding on flying insects, not sure if they were house martins or sand martins.