Marsh Harrier ?

stylie

Can someone help me with the ID of this fella..I think its a Marsh Harrier but Im not sure..

bogtreader

Really excellent pictures stylie looks most likely to be a buzzard.

Mr. Presentable

Surely a Buzzard.

Marsh Harrier

Hammiepeters

Yep, Buzzard and excellent photos. Telephoto lens on pic 1?

stevensi

It's a buzzard alright...whereabouts was it seen?

stylie

I was using a 300mm telephoto for all the pics. The first pic was at about 100m and the rest went out a lot farther as he flew the opposite direction. Thank you for the identification and the kind words. I spotted him near the Cork and Waterford border. It was a lucky sight as we were driving along the road and just saw him out of the corner of our eye so to speak, and he kindly waited till we were able to turn around and get the camera out.

I want to send the pic into a newspaper or tv ? do you think i should ? is it worth it ? never saw a bird like this before and would like to share it

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

stylie wrote: »

I want to send the pic into a newspaper or tv ? do you think i should ? is it worth it ? never saw a bird like this before and would like to share it

No offence intended but they are not rare birds anymore and can be approached to within 50M in many places. One perches on my TV Aerial fixed the the chimney of my bungalow. They are nice shots but I don't know why TV or newspapers would want then when there are so many file photos of Buzzards available to them and no particular story behind your shots.

Keep up the good work though - they are good photos.

stevensi

As Srameen said they are becoming more common in Ireland. I've seen groups of 4 or 5 together circling in the skies.

Although it is interesting to see that they have moved down towards Cork and Waterford. I'm from Cork myself and haven't seen them in the county before but do regularly see them in louth and Dublin.

Great pictures and thanks for sharing them

boneless

Great photos!!

Scobius90

and I have seen one in east Galway yesterday being escorted by about 30 crows from the rookery at my wifes home. He perched on an ESB pole and was totally non-plussed by the furore above him/her.

Was well impressed by its size.
Would anyone have any detailed info on its national distribution and numbers?

There is a relatively undisturbed (not pristine) area of bog (250 acres) nearby, would it be too much to hope that this bird could stay in the area?

Cheers!

jmkennedyie

Re moving in to bog I think their ideal habitat is decent bit of woodland in which to nest, surrounded by a ready supply of food. Typically this is small mammals they hunt from farmland. If you have woodland nearby there may be a chance.

Great pics by the way... a local newspaper or newsletter may appreciate them...