Buzzard

Buzzard taking to flight

Winter had denuded the deciduous tree of its foliage. Long, spindly branches reached toward the grey, cloud covered sky. On one of the uppermost branches sat a buzzard, still and silent, surveying the surrounding scene. The only movement was the head rotating, presenting a profile first one way then the other of its dangerous hooked beak. Suddenly with one powerful beat of its outstretched wings it was airborne. It circled overhead a couple of times and then was gone disappearing eastward over a hedgerow heading east toward a mix of woodland and open farmland.

I see quite a lot of buzzards. They are usually soaring and gliding effortlessly on thermals circling slowly over farmland and open grassland. Normally they exude the calmness and strength of a raptor near the top of the food chain. Occasionally they can be seen to be slightly more flustered, such as in this exchange with a crow.

This picture was just above the river Stour near the Pamphill area just north west of Wimborne Minster. The crow continued to harass the Buzzard until it had moved on from its territory. The crow was feisty, but stayed clear of those talons.

The Buzzard

Buzzard soaring in flight — Buzzard – soaring

The Common Buzzard is a large bird of prey (51 – 57 cm). It is the UK’s most numerous bird of prey (79,000 pairs)

As well as its habit of soaring and gliding, it can also be peen perched in trees or on posts.

Other large bird, such as rooks or crows, will harass Buzzards and chase them from their territory.

Garden visitors – July 2019

Temperatures have exceeded 30 degrees Celsius. Not since 1976 has Dorset been this hot. There have been great opportunities to photograph widely differing species, some like the dragon flies and butterflies quite exquisitely beautiful. The sparrow population in particular has increased significantly since spring.

Bugs and butterflies

The garden has well and truly come alive with all sorts of creepy crawlies: peacock butterfly, red admiral, greenbottle flies, hoverflies, dragonflies, bumble-bees, honey bees.

Dragonflies

Buzzards overhead

Record temperatures have encouraged buzzards to soar on thermals in search of prey. As they pass over the garden, smaller birds call out warnings to each other, as they scurry around seeking cover.