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Buzzard Observations

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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 207 ✭✭sables2


    V Bull wrote: »
    Today... a pair of Buzzards & a little friend keeping a watchfull eye on them.......:cool:
    Hi V Bull,
    GREAT images ;);). The 'friend' is getting close.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,051 ✭✭✭trebor28


    saw my loacal one again today.

    got quite close to him too, within 100 yards. got a good clear view of him through my bins.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,321 ✭✭✭snowstreams


    sables2 wrote: »
    Thanks for that Ender. I only want something reasonable...will look into it. Some others here might have some sufficient camera lens knowledge. ;)

    I have a 300mm lense too. Its the best value for a decent picture. Anything more than 300mm costs 500euro plus.

    i took this buzzard pic with my Tamron 300m lense to give you an idea of what i can do. Cost 160euro for it.

    4322532867_5a16e508e9_z.jpg


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 6,498 ✭✭✭Mothman


    I've moved discussion on Cameras, lens etc to new thread
    It'll bring this thread back to Buzzard observations


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 128 ✭✭ender ender


    Saw another today I think, between Lusk and Skerries along the train line. It was a very large raptor at least -would buzzards be the largest birds of prey on the east coast?


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,321 ✭✭✭snowstreams


    Yeah they would. Apart from the occasional hen harrier which is similar in size.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 207 ✭✭sables2


    Mothman wrote: »
    I've moved discussion on Cameras, lens etc to new thread
    It'll bring this thread back to Buzzard observations
    Hi Mothman,
    Thanks for that info on the cameras and the relevant thread ;)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 6,498 ✭✭✭Mothman


    -would buzzards be the largest birds of prey on the east coast?
    Yeah they would. Apart from the occasional hen harrier which is similar in size.

    Don't forget Red Kite :)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,293 ✭✭✭Fuzzy Clam


    I have a 300mm lense too. Its the best value for a decent picture. Anything more than 300mm costs 500euro plus.

    i took this buzzard pic with my Tamron 300m lense to give you an idea of what i can do. Cost 160euro for it.

    4322532867_5a16e508e9_z.jpg
    Nice glass insulators!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 128 ✭✭ender ender


    Thanks Snowstreams and Mothman. Would red kite venture as far as north county Dublin? They were reintroduced this summer, yeah?


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,771 ✭✭✭Birdnuts


    Thanks Snowstreams and Mothman. Would red kite venture as far as north county Dublin? They were reintroduced this summer, yeah?

    Nearest sightings to you in the last year have been Blackrock Co. Louth and Ringsend Dublin:)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 128 ✭✭ender ender


    Thanks Birdnuts. Probably a buzzard but I'll keep my eyes peeled. If they venture as far as Louth I might get lucky and spot one some day near here...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,051 ✭✭✭trebor28


    i have seen our local one in exactly the same location for the last 3 days.

    i think he is getting used to me too, i am able to get very close to him.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1 wurz


    I live in Derry city, outskirts, and regularly see buzzards. they are quite common actually. About three summers ago on a hot clear day I and a friend counted 8 birds riding the thermals above Ballyarnett country park. I usually see them in ones, twos or threes but that time was amazing. They are a beautiful bird and I always keep a look out for them. They do seem to appear and disappear from localities though. Migration would probably explain that.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 207 ✭✭sables2


    Birdnuts wrote: »
    Nearest sightings to you in the last year have been Blackrock Co. Louth and Ringsend Dublin:)
    Birdnuts,
    Would i see them...(Buzzards) if i was on Sandymount strand when tide out near the 'pigeon house'?? Do you think that was a one off sighting...I seen a few soaring above that was near/at Kilruddery House Bray. Co. Wicklow. They we're flying in pairs. Stunning raptors. Do we/Birdwatch Ireland know how many approx pairs are in the Republic - interesting though.:rolleyes:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,771 ✭✭✭Birdnuts


    sables2 wrote: »
    Birdnuts,
    Would i see them...(Buzzards) if i was on Sandymount strand when tide out near the 'pigeon house'?? Do you think that was a one off sighting...I seen a few soaring above that was near/at Kilruddery House Bray. Co. Wicklow. They we're flying in pairs. Stunning raptors. Do we/Birdwatch Ireland know how many approx pairs are in the Republic - interesting though.:rolleyes:

    Anywhere in Dublin is now buzzard territory - they've even been sighted over the city centre(Kildare street) in recent years. The most recent populations estimate for the ROI is 350 pairs. Still growing but buzzard densities in this country are still very low compared to mainland Europe and most of the UK.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 207 ✭✭sables2


    Birdnuts wrote: »
    Anywhere in Dublin is now buzzard territory - they've even been sighted over the city centre(Kildare street) in recent years. The most recent populations estimate for the ROI is 350 pairs. Still growing but buzzard densities in this country are still very low compared to mainland Europe and most of the UK.
    Thanks Birdnuts,
    Thats amazing: a buzzard spotted on Kildare Street in the city!!! LOL. Your correct about other countries having much more populations - take England. We we're driving through Oxfordshire last January and must have spotted no less than three buzzards & two kites in four hours! 350 pairs is SUPER. I hope they thrive, just like the red kites...my absolute favourites ;). To this day i'v never seen one - only images :(:(


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,683 ✭✭✭heavyballs


    sables2 wrote: »
    Thanks Birdnuts,
    Thats amazing: a buzzard spotted on Kildare Street in the city!!! LOL. Your correct about other countries having much more populations - take England. We we're driving through Oxfordshire last January and must have spotted no less than three buzzards & two kites in four hours! 350 pairs is SUPER. I hope they thrive, just like the red kites...my absolute favourites ;). To this day i'v never seen one - only images :(:(

    pm me if you want,i can tell you where to go in Wicklow,you will need patience though,don't advise posting locations up here just in case,


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,774 ✭✭✭Scotty #


    I daily see several around Drogheda, The Naul, Swords, St. Margarets.

    Saw a big one eating some road kill yesterday with it's mate perched in a tree nearby. As my car approached it picked the carcass up and flew over the hedge. I know it was road kill as it's been there a few days. Hare I think.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 207 ✭✭sables2


    Scotty # wrote: »
    I daily see several around Drogheda, The Naul, Swords, St. Margarets.

    Saw a big one eating some road kill yesterday with it's mate perched in a tree nearby. As my car approached it picked the carcass up and flew over the hedge. I know it was road kill as it's been there a few days. Hare I think.
    One word: SUPERB!! ...i envy you.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 211 ✭✭googsy


    Saw one sitting on a tree out the back garden today. There have been a few around Cloghran / Airport for a few years now. I know where one of their "roosts" are not too far from the Airport but don't know if they are breeding or not. There are 2 resident ( There was 3 ) sometimes during the summer you could see 5 to 7 of them soaring in the air. Anyone got any idea's on this type of behavior ? or are they just a larger grouping of birds from a different territories passing through ? It's an amazing sight to see so many so high up.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,774 ✭✭✭Scotty #


    googsy wrote: »
    Saw one sitting on a tree out the back garden today. There have been a few around Cloghran / Airport for a few years now.
    The two I mentioned the other day were at the back of Keelings on Killeek Lane at the back of the airport and are seen there most days. I have also seen up to 6 at a time there. Which I presume is 2 adults and 4 juv's OR two 'families' in same area.

    I have seen up to 10 in the air in the Naul but they could be miles apart. Where my folks live up in the Naul there is quiet a view over north county Dublin so on a nice summers day it's not uncommon to see 6-8 at a time.

    I wonder how the Airport feel about them..?? Are they a 'bird strike' risk or are they a 'bird strike' preventative?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 211 ✭✭googsy


    Scotty # wrote: »
    The two I mentioned the other day were at the back of Keelings on Killeek Lane at the back of the airport and are seen there most days. I have also seen up to 6 at a time there. Which I presume is 2 adults and 4 juv's OR two 'families' in same area.

    I have seen up to 10 in the air in the Naul but they could be miles apart. Where my folks live up in the Naul there is quiet a view over north county Dublin so on a nice summers day it's not uncommon to see 6-8 at a time.

    I wonder how the Airport feel about them..?? Are they a 'bird strike' risk or are they a 'bird strike' preventative?

    The one's I'm talking about are up at the other side of the airport ( Coachan's Inn direction). I guess the people at the airport that shoot the exploding flares do a good job in keeping them away :) I'm not sure if they would do damage to an aircraft engine or not......


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,771 ✭✭✭Birdnuts


    Scotty # wrote: »
    .

    I wonder how the Airport feel about them..?? Are they a 'bird strike' risk or are they a 'bird strike' preventative?

    No more then any other bird over the size of a large thrush - in any case the main risk from bird strikes is from large flocks which means the likes of buzzards are far less of a risk then gulls/crows etc. As a previous poster mentions Dublin AP BCU employs a variety of effective bird scaring devices that appear to work well given the lack of any serious incidents over the years:)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 350 ✭✭bogtreader


    Seen a buzzard yesterday sitting on ESB pole close to silver strand in
    co wicklow and a local one close to where i work


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 128 ✭✭ender ender


    Scotty # wrote: »
    I daily see several around Drogheda, The Naul, Swords, St. Margarets.

    Saw a big one eating some road kill yesterday with it's mate perched in a tree nearby. As my car approached it picked the carcass up and flew over the hedge. I know it was road kill as it's been there a few days. Hare I think.

    That's cool, man. The GF and myself were in New Zealand about 7 years ago and rounded a bend on a mountain road one day to see a really big raptor eating roadkill. Usually they'd fly off on seeing a car but this one just sat there, we had to drive around it. Pity I couldn't id it, it was only about 4 feet away from me. Could've been a harrier though, I think they're the most common over there.

    I go up to the Naul and Four Knocks a good bit, must pay more attention for buzzards when I'm there...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,778 ✭✭✭Bsal


    I was out at Weston airport today and seen 1 Buzzard and 1 Sparrowhawk near the NFC hangers, totally unexpected.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 350 ✭✭bogtreader


    Seen two buzzards today in a field feeding together
    Tried to sneak over to get closer look behind a hedge
    close to the road had me sussed in an instant


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,953 ✭✭✭homerhop


    Hadn't seen the ones that were around the house since before the snow. Glad to see one of them gliding over the trees on friday evening.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 809 ✭✭✭Ditch


    Thought I'd better report, here, that I saw a Buzzard passing over Mohill, last summer. Going from west to east.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,774 ✭✭✭Scotty #


    bogtreader wrote: »
    Seen two buzzards today in a field feeding together
    Tried to sneak over to get closer look behind a hedge
    close to the road had me sussed in an instant
    Yea I've tried to get close a few times with no luck. Usually don't have time to even get the camera out. They're quiet shy.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,721 ✭✭✭E39MSport


    Full article with good pictures in Spring 2011 copy of wings here (pdf file)
    Published by BirdWatch Ireland
    The success of the Buzzard is a heartening respite from the frequent accounts of declining bird populations. Driven to extinction in Ireland by the early part of the 20th century, the Buzzard’s natural re-colonisation after a significant absence is testament to the adaptability of the species. The population recovery is continuing, with an expanding range and increasing numbers. However, the issues responsible for the Buzzard’s initial disappearance from Ireland have unfortunately not completely disappeared.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 350 ✭✭bogtreader


    Over the last 48 hrs a Buzzard has been feeding on a rabbit in a field across from where i work.
    I first seen it yesterday about 9.30 the buzzard stayed for about half an hour.
    Left then but came back stayed between twenty minutes and half an hour.
    I went and had a look during my lunch break to see what the buzzard
    was feeding on.At that time there was still plenty of eating on it.
    When the buzzard left Magpies and hooded crows took their turn.
    The buzzard was back this morning feeding away again.
    I did expect a fox to carry it away over night.
    I take it a rabbit would be to heavy for a buzzard to carry away?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,774 ✭✭✭Scotty #


    Seen one lift a hare off the road a few weeks back with no effort.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,771 ✭✭✭Birdnuts


    Scotty # wrote: »
    Seen one lift a hare off the road a few weeks back with no effort.

    Do you know how old the carcass was?? - might have been there for a while and feed on by other scavangers, which would have lightened the load considerably in this case


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,774 ✭✭✭Scotty #


    Birdnuts wrote: »
    Do you know how old the carcass was?? - might have been there for a while and feed on by other scavangers, which would have lightened the load considerably in this case
    It had been there from at least the day before but was still quite intact looking. Might have been driven over once or twice though...

    I'm sure I've also seen photos of them with rabbits on top of fence posts and telegraph poles.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,774 ✭✭✭Scotty #


    Buzzard cathces rabbit and flies off with it still kicking...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,771 ✭✭✭Birdnuts


    Scotty # wrote: »
    Buzzard cathces rabbit and flies off with it still kicking...

    Buzzards main live prey would indeed be small mammals up to the seize of a rabbit - they also talk large numbers of rats, especcially at harvest time so they are very much the farmers friend:)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,051 ✭✭✭trebor28


    not sure about that being a buzzard!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,771 ✭✭✭Birdnuts


    trebor28 wrote: »
    not sure about that being a buzzard!

    You could be right - on second viewing it looks more like a Goshawk:confused:


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 32,688 ✭✭✭✭ytpe2r5bxkn0c1


    That's a Buzzard.

    I have often seen Bizzards take rabbits and fly off with them. They have brought whole rabbits to the nest visible from my house and others I have watched.

    Why bogtreaders Buzzard did not take that rabbit is a mystery. I only hope it was not pinned down as bait!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,051 ✭✭✭trebor28


    Birdnuts wrote: »
    You could be right - on second viewing it looks more like a Goshawk:confused:

    i was actually thinking a harrier of some sort. the tail seems quite long and straight like you would see with a harrier.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 350 ✭✭bogtreader


    As far as i could see it wasnt pinned down i had a good look at it.
    When i went to investigate.
    The farmer who has a field with a crop growing About half a mile from
    where i work have birdscarer going all day.
    It is a high pitched mechanical scream to scare away the pigeons.
    It worked for the first few days now they are back with a vengance.
    At least 100 to 150 were back in the field munching away.
    Having Buzzards flying around is a lot better for keeping them away.
    They are around regularly.:)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 10 frostfrosty


    trebor28 wrote: »
    i was actually thinking a harrier of some sort. the tail seems quite long and straight like you would see with a harrier.

    Its definitely a Buzzard. Notice the distinct Buzzard markings under the wings at 0:17. :)

    Its amazing the ease in which the Buzzard caught the rabbit and just flew off. They really are powerful birds


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 809 ✭✭✭Ditch


    icon_eek.gif Wow! I never try to watch films. (Vodafone 3G / Wireless? Pointless!) But, seeing as that one was so short? I went for it.

    Wow! I had the volume switched off, so I never did hear what ever the filmer was exclaiming! Know what I'd have been saying! :D

    Buzzard for me though. About 17 seconds; Get a load of those primary's! No Goshawk! And the carpals? They do away with Marsh, and Hen doesn't get a look in.

    30 seconds? Distinction on under wing is gorgeous! Tell me it was filmed in the south east side of the New Forest, Hampshire and I'd be ready to wreck my head over Honey.

    As it is though? I'm with the majority, I imagine? Common Buzzard. Uncommonly well caught, catching! :)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 809 ✭✭✭Ditch


    Its definitely a Buzzard. Notice the distinct Buzzard markings under the wings at 0:17. :)


    Bingo! thgrinning-smiley-003.gif

    Sorry, FF. I'd genuinely shot straight past ye post there, in my gob smacked excitement of having just watched the film so much :o

    Dead right though. 17 seconds! Just get that absolutely text book look at the under wing though, don't we? Like; " Look, sukkas! It's all here! " :P

    Great fun! Thanks for bringing us that one, Scotty thgrinning-smiley-003.gif


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,771 ✭✭✭Birdnuts


    Ditch wrote: »
    ! Tell me it was filmed in the south east side of the New Forest, Hampshire and I'd be ready to wreck my head over Honey.

    As it is though? I'm with the majority, I imagine? Common Buzzard. Uncommonly well caught, catching! :)

    Tell me bout it - spent a week in the Dordogne back in 08' having my had wrecked trying to differentiate the 2:(


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,878 ✭✭✭whyulittle


    Buzzard Survey details on the GET FB page.

    Lots of empty space around Athlone, bah. :(


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 32,688 ✭✭✭✭ytpe2r5bxkn0c1


    For those of us who don't like facebook:

    http://www.goldeneagle.ie/portal.php?z=129


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,878 ✭✭✭whyulittle


    Well I would be one of them, just have a login out of necessity!
    Your country needs you! The Irish Raptor Study Group is carrying out a nationwide survey of buzzards during the pre-breeding season (26 Feb-19 Apr). At this time buzzards can be counted as they soar above their territories. We've selected 50 squares in RoI (see map) so if you are interested email allanmee AT goldeneagle DOT ie. Its simple, just a 1 hour watch from a vantage point. All u have to do is identify buzzards in flight:-)


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