Unknown bird of prey with 'croaking' call

[haycasso2]

Hi all.

I was browsing internet for some help into information on a large bird of prey i have spotted in my town, when i come across this website.

I live on near the Cwmcarn forest drive and see many bird of prey here, but these birds i see in daylight, never one on its own, only ever seen 2 at one time. They have quite a large wing span and look quite large compared to the usual buzzard i see often. I am an amateur photographer and have a few pictures of the pair i see but they circle above the trees very high and my zoom lens just cant get a detailed image.
This bird make a deep croaking very much like a frogs croak. I have never heard this before and was hoping someone could help me.

Thankyou

[aeshna5]

From your description of the call I'm fairly confident you've seen Ravens, which can look rather raptor like.

Just noticed this is your first post so welcome to WAB. Ravens are increasing due to reduced persecution + are increasingly nesting in towns on cathedrals, etc.

[htcdude]

Any chance you could post a photo? Even if it's not great, it might give us a better idea

Welcome to the forum!

Nige

[diggleken]

yes, welcome to WAB - pic would be good, but if your call description is accurate, its clear they will be Ravens.
Cheers
Ken

[haycasso2]

Hi and thank you for your replies.

I did think it could possibly be ravens after looking at some images on the net, but i can't find the call i was hearing anywhere and this bird is very big compared to a raven. And as you can see for the picture i took earlier today there is some colour to the birds. The lighter image was taken a few days, another pair, heading south so didn't get much time to take any pictures. But those birds were again croaking.
I hope i have uploaded my images correctly.
thank you

[haycasso2]

Originally Posted by haycasso2

Hi and thank you for your replies.

I did think it could possibly be ravens after looking at some images on the net, but i can't find the call i was hearing anywhere and this bird is very big compared to a raven. And as you can see for the picture i took earlier today there is some colour to the birds. The lighter image was taken a few days, another pair, heading south so didn't get much time to take any pictures. But those birds were again croaking.
I hope i have uploaded my images correctly.
thank you

Pics are cropped as the birds were very distant and my lens just isn't capable of that

[Farplace]

Pic 2 looks like a buzzard to me. Not sure about pic 1.
Jan

[rossy]

pic 2 is a buzzard, and was the bird in pic 1 taken at the same time ? rossy.

[diggleken]

I'm with Jan, Buzzard is pic 2, pic 1 is Raven, look at the tail shape and outline.
This may help:
The RSPB: Raven
Cheers
Ken

[Billabong Karen]

Yes, I could go with raven for picture 1, but those light wing feathers are odd???