ID please

[Chocky]

I though this was a rough-legged Buzzard but it's wings seam the wrong shape though they have pale coloured tips it has more the look of a Peregrine with the sun lightening the wing tips . I'm probably wrong on both counts though
Sorry I couldn't get closer ladders were too short.
Added a tgird one as from the camera just cropped

[rolf]

Looks like a standard Buzzard Beryl, but not very clued up on them.

[Chocky]

The thing is Rolf, Buzzards circle this didn't and they don't have pointed wings and the markings don't look like a standard Buzzard
But your probably right.

[Merlin]

Bit pushed for time at the moment Beryl but an interesting sighting which I don't think is Common Buzzard. I maximised my monitor to get some detail which certainly doesn't point to this species. When I get the chance (probably not until tomorrow) I'm off to search the books.

Pete.

[Chocky]

OK Pete. Thank you

[Merlin]

This is going to have to remain a mystery to me Beryl. I've checked the books and cannot make it anything other than Common Buzzard. Having said that, it is by no means a 'standard' Buzzard and if this is really what it is then it is a 'dark morph' individual which I have never personally seen before.

These birds have a highly variable plumage and it's as good a suggestion as any. At the end of the day we have to move on......some you win, some you loose in birdwatching and this is how it will always be.

Interesting shots though Beryl and thanks for the challenge.

Pete.

[Chocky]

A rough leg Buzzard has the pale whitish markings that this one has but I don't know. Thanks all any how

[Calidris]

Hi Beryl

Just browsing through some old ID queries. This looks like an adult female rough legged buzzard to me I've checked it against Mullarney et al. (Collins Bird Guide - my bible!) and apart from the image being a little underexposed, making it look darker than it should be (hardly surprising against the sky!), it's dead on.

That's a pretty scarce visitor (I've only seen one - also ID'd from a photo, over Richmond Park of all places) to the UK, especially away from the east coast. Your county recorder will be interested, I'm sure.

Superb!

Mark

[Chocky]

Hi there Mark :_

Thanks
Guess I was right with my first assumption .
We do have unusual visitors down here occasionally . It' not a capture I'll upload to the forum but I was very intrigued

[Catherine]

Hi, Beryl (and Mark)!

Just checked Bird Guides and their description of a Rough Legged Buzzard ends with; 'Their most convincing feature, however, is their obvious white tail with a broad dark band at its tip.' - which this bird doesn't have.

I'd go with Common Buzzard as we've seen many over our gardens (both here and in Ayr), and your pics look just like one. The fact that the wings and tail feathers aren't extended (as when the birds circle in thermals) shows that it was flying in a straight line and therefore had adjusted his aerodynamics to suit.

I'm attaching pics of two of four Buzzards which flew over the garden in November. The first is of a standard colour Buzzard. The second (not so clear) shows the lighter colouring of one bird, and the third is of a very light coloured Buzzard in a tree some distance from us.

I thought the last one might have been a Honey Buzzard, but was told it wasn't! Their colour and pattern variation is quite amazing!

[Chocky]

Your first is a 'Common Buzzard', your secongd is a 'Pale Phase Buzzard' and the third not able to male out.
I still think mine is a rough legged Buzzard. I see them all the time here and at Bowling green and this was definitely different.
How ever I'm willing to keep an open mind as it is difficult to ID properly