Buzzard over the garden
I’m currently chicken-sitting for my friends in Oxfordshire and enjoying an egg or two. Their enclosure is larger than my garden and they have a luxurious house with ample pecking room.
They are ready to greet me every morning at a time of my choosing. I don’t even have to let them out of their fox-proof enclosure because it’s automatically timed to open up at 6:40am.
The only mild stress they seem to face is if they see a Buzzard overhead. They scuttle with a exaggerated walk to hide under the bushes in their enclosure.
I wish that was all I had to worry about.
Here’s a Buzzard rising up from the trees opposite. Magnificent, aren’t they?
More Buzzards
Landing precision The Common Buzzard is quite a large bird, with broad, rounded wings and a short neck and tail. We're waiting… read more
Buteo buteo Watching a Buzzard being mobbed is always a fascinating experience. This one has two Carrion Crows in close attendance. They… read more
The remains of a meal There's a Common Buzzard on the banks of the River Dart. We're enjoying great views of it from the small… read more
Fixed with a piercing stare I'm watching a Long-Tailed Bushtit's nest from 20 metres away when I notice a Buzzard heading straight towards me. Those… read more
A Buzzard with its Crow shadow Mobbing is something Carrion Crows manage to do on their own, without the need of a mob. There's little rest… read more
The Buzzard and its shadow Buzzards are regal. They must be, because they bring with them a retinue wherever they go. Here's one with its… read more
Pale There's a very pale Common Buzzard flying around me. Its breast and underwings are almost cream rather than dark brown.… read more
The waterworks Buzzard On a previous walk through the industrial estate I met a couple who said they'd seen a Buzzard at the… read more
Pale Buzzard There's a wide variation in the colouration of Common Buzzards. This one is particularly pale, without the dark brown breast… read more