Bird of prey - but which one?
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Bird of prey - but which one?

 
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yob kulcha
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Joined: 26 Jan 2006
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PostPosted: Wed Nov 29, 2006 11:02 pm    Post subject: Bird of prey - but which one? Reply with quote

We were out around North Glasgow at the weekend and at 2 caches, near Torrance and Bearsden, we saw the same type of bird.

It seemed clear that it was a bird of prey since it alternated between swooping, gliding and hovering flight. It was very noticeable since it seemed quite large (2 - 3 feet wingspan at a guess) and when it hovered the pale feathers under its wings seemed to flash slowly - almost like a strobe light - as it flapped.
It had a creamy coloured underside with some rusty colours near the top of the underside of the wings. I can't really give a better description I'm afraid.

Any ideas?
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Seacon
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Joined: 16 Sep 2005
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Location: Northern Ireland

PostPosted: Wed Nov 29, 2006 11:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Difficult to say however a possible contender is a Buzzard.

It fits the description in terms of location, size, flight characteristic and colour (though individual birds can be quite variable in colour). They tend to sit on regular vantage points. Electricity poles being quite common.
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Third Generation
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PostPosted: Wed Nov 29, 2006 11:33 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I would guess that chances are it was a Buzzard as these are becoming very common everywhere in Scotland.

http://www.rspb.org.uk/birds/guide/b/buzzard/index.asp

IF this link works (which in itself will be a minor miracle) check it out.

Jean
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ghiribizzo
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Location: Ferryport-on-Craig. The Kingdom of Fife.

PostPosted: Wed Nov 29, 2006 11:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

As common (more so?) than sparrows round here...


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yob kulcha
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Joined: 26 Jan 2006
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PostPosted: Thu Nov 30, 2006 6:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks for all the info (and the working links!). I thought it was a buzzard too, but I'm hardly Natureboy. I've only ever seen buzzards at a distance and even then rarely. I can also recognise their cry, but this one didn't make a sound and I've never seen a buzzard hover in the same way that the smaller raptors do.

Cheers.
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Team Ballibeg
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PostPosted: Fri Dec 01, 2006 12:23 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Raptors all have a very similar cries. I'd find it impossible to tell a Golden Eagle from a Red Kite or a buzzard by call alone.


Dave
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