Goshawk? Common buzzard? (UK) (1 Viewer)

[JohnWillitts]

Hi. I live in Standish, near Wigan, Lancs, UK.

On nearby farmland I keep seeing a sandy-coloured, medium large-large bird of prey. I disturb it on grassland (actually it's a local amateur football pitch surrounded by long grass), near woods and it flies into trees or through trees and then away (I'm not sure which). It's bigger than a sparrowhawk and its wing:body ratio is less than that of a harrier. I'd say the wing length was less than that of a buzzard, too, more curved. Its body looks powerful. Its flight is perhaps a little lumbering, initially, keeping 6'-10' above the ground for 50m or so before it rises to the trees (which does not appear to panic the tree residents, interestingly). I'd say the wing shape was more curved than broad (so, goshawk not common buzzard?). Individual primaries are not visible. I don't see its undersides.

The main thing I notice, though, is its uniformly SANDY colour above.

Any ideas, please?

John

 

[Jasonbirder]

That does sound like a Common Buzzard to me - I can`t recall ever seeing Goshawks on the ground, only ever perched in trees and the sandy-brown colour sounds like a good description of a pale Buzzards colouration....

 

[JohnWillitts]

Is 'pale buzzard' a kind of buzzard or is it a buzzard with pale colouring? JW

 

[Michael Frankis]

Hi John,

Welcome to BirdForum!

A pale Buzzard is an ordinary Buzzard with pale colouring - they are notoriously variable in colour tone, I once saw a Buzzard that was almost pure white, while others can be very dark brown.

I'd agree your bird is most likely a Buzzard. Goshawks are birds of dense woodland, and wouldn't be out walking in fields every day.

The only proviso is that I can't rule out the possibility of a captive falconer's bird which has escaped - if it was, then just about any raptor is possible. Next time you see it, look closely at the legs, to see if it has any jesses (leather straps) attached to the feet (presence proves an escape; though absence doesn't prove it isn't, as escapes often escape in the first place by chewing their jesses off!).

Michael

 

[JohnWillitts]

I'm grateful for your replies. I'm "like to" (as they say round here) accept your opinions (a) because of your experience and (b) the prior probability that most large birds of prey in the area are going to have to be buzzards, not goshawks.

So, many thanks for your help. Yours has been a real welcome to the forum. By the way I'm a fisherman (angler) of 45 years standing and that's how I became interested in all things wildlife ... all-encompassing - but shallow - knowledge. I think I got 'hooked' on birds when a kingfisher perched on my rod tip.

John

 

[pauco]

Hi John, and welcome to the forum. My own opinion is its a Buzzard, but as we all know in this hobby never say never! I live just outside leyland on the A49 Wigan rd. we have 3 Daughters who live in standish, so up that part off the world often. You ever get to wigan flashes? enjoy your time on BF.
bert.

 

[JohnWillitts]

My spiritual home, Bert ..... water, birds, peace and quiet (still)! You can always get me on j.willit#ts@l#i#vjm.ac.u#k. John

 

[thechuffmeister]

Goshawk?

Was driving on Almond Brook Lane towards the M6, looked up and a LARGE hawk flew over. Not a Sparrowhawk it was too big, looked like a Female Gos or an escapee. Not a Harris Hawk, wrong shape and flight pattern. Seen Goshawks before a few times. No chance of being a Buzzard.?? Worth investigating I think.

 

[_pauls]

Was driving on Almond Brook Lane towards the M6, looked up and a LARGE hawk flew over. Not a Sparrowhawk it was too big, looked like a Female Gos or an escapee. Not a Harris Hawk, wrong shape and flight pattern. Seen Goshawks before a few times. No chance of being a Buzzard.?? Worth investigating I think.

Why do you say "No chance of being a buzzard."?

 

[JustinG]

@John - sounds like it'll be a Common Buzzard.