Birds of Prey in Holland (1 Viewer)

[tired_boy]

Sometimes we have to travel over to Holland for work. Last time we had a job near Apeldoorn. When we were quite close i thought i noticed a Common Buzzard sat in a tree in a field. In the next 15 miles we probably saw about a dozen more perched on the wooden fence posts at the side of the busy dual carriageway. Then on the way home we decided to have an hour driving around some of the smaller roads to see if we could get any pictures. The picture i have attached is of the only white one we saw. All the others at the side of the road were brown like Common Buzzards.

Then on the way back we started looking out for them. Even when we got back to the port we were seeing them on top of telegraph poles and even on top of the streetlights on the busy dual carriageway.

Are they possibly all the same species? Is the white one any different? By the end of the day we had some just over 80, how come they are so prevalent in Holland (even in built up areas) and not so in England?

 

[Joern Lehmhus]

There doesn´t seem to be a picture attached, but common bussard is extremely variable and there are sometimes even birds which are totally or nearly totally white...

 

[tired_boy]

There doesn´t seem to be a picture attached, but common bussard is extremely variable and there are sometimes even birds which are totally or nearly totally white...

Sorry - i didnt press upload

 

[Pete Mella]

I'd be jumping up and down shouting Gyrfalcon if I saw that, but I've a feeling I'd be put right...

 

[Xenospiza]

Yes, Common Buzzard.
The white ones are always a treat! Although people used to say they are northern birds, I think I see them about as much in winter as in summer. Most "Ospreys" and "Rough-legged Buzzards" reported in winter in the Netherlands are such white Common Buzzards .

Why are they so common in the Netherlands? A relatively low amount of persecution ever since pesticide poisoning ended 40 years ago, easy access from the rest of the continent, a lot of suitable woodland – and in winter we get additional Scandinavian winterers.
I think the maximum level must have been reached by now... all woodlots are taken!
Sparrowhawk and Goshawk have followed the Common Buzzard in its spread, but as they are more specialised, they aren't as common. Truely sensitive species like Black and Red Kite have as yet failed to follow...

 

[Joern Lehmhus]

A beautiful common buzzard, as said already...we also have such white ones in southern germany, but my personal impression (which may be wron) is that they are a bit more common in northern germany...
I once heard the theory that the occurrance of mainly white common buzzards might be negatively linked to occurrance of eagle owl in the area...but I have no idea if this could be correct at all...