Bird of Prey? - Aberdeen, Scotland (1 Viewer)

[TheSeagull]

I seen a silhouette of a large bird of prey in flight over a field, I can give no physical description except from the size (large), shape (bird of prey). But the flight was flap - flap - swoop (In U shape, it went down like a normal swoop and back up) it did this about 4 times before it disappeared.
Any ideas? I think it will probably be inconclusive but the U Swoop x 4 struck me.

 

[mikejack82]

Flight sounds like Woodpigeon Display... You sure it was a Raptor???

 

[TheSeagull]

Flight sounds like Woodpigeon Display... You sure it was a Raptor???

Definitely not a woodpigeon, bigger.

 

[mikejack82]

OK, but size is very hard to judge in the field, and a Woodpigeon at an odd angle can briefly look very raptor-like...

 

[mikejack82]

Just re-read your original post, thought you said 4 flaps to 1 u-shape swoop. When in fact you said 2 flaps to 1 u-shape swoop 4 times. Woodpig would flap more than twice. sorry.
Hope someone can help ya...

 

[halftwo]

Possibly a Buzzard displaying that you saw, Calvin

 

[Ken Hall]

Hi Calvin

Buzzard sound the most likely, but hard to be certain. Where about exactly did you see it? Since I'm local I might be able offer more ideas if I knew the location.

cheers

Ken

 

[TheSeagull]

Possibly a Buzard displaying that you saw, Calvin

Oh dear not again!:-O

Hi Calvin

Buzzard sound the most likely, but hard to be certain. Where about exactly did you see it? Since I'm local I might be able offer more ideas if I knew the location.

cheers

Ken

In a field beside Sheddocksley Woods, around abouts NJ891076

 

[Ken Hall]

In a field beside Sheddocksley Woods, around abouts NJ891076

That location is certainly good for Buzzard. The other possibility is Red Kite. I'm sure you will be aware that there have been some released near Culter. They are often seen around there and Echt and Loch of Skene, so could well be at Sheddockley. They are not at all shy of human habitation, in fact they uses to act as scavengers in many UK cities, before they were hunted almost to extinction. Hope this helps.

Ken

 

[TheSeagull]

That location is certainly good for Buzzard. The other possibility is Red Kite. I'm sure you will be aware that there have been some released near Culter. They are often seen around there and Echt and Loch of Skene, so could well be at Sheddockley. They are not at all shy of human habitation, in fact they uses to act as scavengers in many UK cities, before they were hunted almost to extinction. Hope this helps.

Ken

Certainly helps, thanks. I'm hoping it was Red Kite, so my life list is correct because I just couldn't resist adding it :-O

 

[Capercaillie71]

Certainly helps, thanks. I'm hoping it was Red Kite, so my life list is correct because I just couldn't resist adding it :-O

If you want to be sure of Red Kite on your list (and I think it's a bit dodgy to tick on your description! - buzzard is still more likely), I would follow Ken's advice and see if you can get someone to take you for a drive round the Peterculter-Skene area. Sightings aren't guaranteed but if you drive around for long enough I'm sure you'll get some good views. Red Kite has now become my second most frequently seen raptor in NE Scotland!

I've put markers on google map to show all the locations that I can recall where I've seen Red Kites here, which may help if you go for a look:

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?hl...d=115850290266564138849.00046f5ecc9d703add76d

A drive up the minor road from Easter Anguston (Peterculter) to Garlogie and then the minor roads on the south side of Loch of Skene are the best bet.

Of course, some people wouldn't list them until they are all second generation locally bred birds, but I wouldn't bother about that personally!

 

[TheSeagull]

If you want to be sure of Red Kite on your list (and I think it's a bit dodgy to tick on your description! - buzzard is still more likely), I would follow Ken's advice and see if you can get someone to take you for a drive round the Peterculter-Skene area. Sightings aren't guaranteed but if you drive around for long enough I'm sure you'll get some good views. Red Kite has now become my second most frequently seen raptor in NE Scotland!

I've put markers on google map to show all the locations that I can recall where I've seen Red Kites here, which may help if you go for a look:

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?hl...d=115850290266564138849.00046f5ecc9d703add76d

A drive up the minor road from Easter Anguston (Peterculter) to Garlogie and then the minor roads on the south side of Loch of Skene are the best bet.

Of course, some people wouldn't list them until they are all second generation locally bred birds, but I wouldn't bother about that personally!

I will at the weekend, and I'm not one of those obsessive tickers, I 'tick' things on guesses and reintroductions. :-O

 

[royc]

Common Buzzard displaying over its territory,they do it not only in spring