Buzzard drama on Dartmoor

I thought that last week’s Buzzard drama over my local industrial estate was it for me. After all, how much great Buzzard action are you likely to see in the skies over your head?

I’m up on Dartmoor when I realise that something special is happening. Firstly there’s the most extraordinary display of Ravens going on in the distance. There must be a dozen of them in a tumbling ball moving through the air. It looks so much like a cartoon fight from a Japanese anime. They’re too far away to make sense of it all, so my focus shifts to three Buzzards circling above. That’s an odd number, so I know there’s bound to be some action. I see a fourth and then they are heading straight towards me, passing close overhead as I stand amongst the gorse.

Buzzards on Trendlebere Down - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Magnificent, aren’t they?

Buzzards on Trendlebere Down - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

In Scotland they’re known as ‘the tourists’ eagle’.

Buzzards on Trendlebere Down - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Eventually there are eight overhead and they are interacting, displaying, having territorial disputes and mating shows. I love this view over the moor, with its heat haze, coconut-scented yellow Gorse flowers and spectacular birds:

Buzzards on Trendlebere Down - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

I’m caught in the middle of a natural marvel. I spot a pair mating on the ground across the valley. They’re too far away for a photograph.

There’s a stunning Arts & Crafts house in the background of this one with a steeply-stepped lawn and a Buzzard overhead. I hope they’ll have a successful breeding season.

Buzzards on Trendlebere Down - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

I hope to be back to enjoy them all over again.

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