Hovering raptor, Scotland (2 Viewers)

[wvar]

Hello, I saw two raptors hovering high yesterday at the edge of the Cairngorms, and they looked too big to be kestrels or kites. I wondered if you might be able to identify them? They were hovering for minutes, flying around, and hovering again. Each hover lasting at least a minute or more. I am attaching photos in the hope that they will be enough to identify. I also have a short video, but it doesn't give much more information.

 

[KC Foggin]

Can't help you with your bird I D but:

Hi there and a warm welcome to you from those of us on staff here at BirdForum

We're glad you found us and thanks for taking a moment to say hello. Please join in wherever you like

 

[delia todd]

Hi wvar and a warm welcome from me too.

The behaviour you describe sounds very like Ospreys, but the images don't look like them. So I'll leave the actual ID to the experts.

All things Scottish can be found here. Also, keep an eye on threads titled something like Scottish Bashes; we try to meet up occasionally and they're always great fun. You'd be most welcome to join us on another if you can manage.

I'm sure you will enjoy it here and I hope to hear about all the birds you see when out and about.

 

[mummymonkey]

Ravens?

 

[Butty]

Pics 3-4 look like a raven. I can't remember ever seeing one do that.
You should attach your video.

 

[ApusApus]

My guess would be Common Buzzards using the thermals which makes them appear as "hovering"!


Shane

 

[Butty]

There is a whole world of difference between hovering and 'using thermals' ( = soaring) - or even between hovering and hanging on the wind - which is why I asked to see the video.

 

[wvar]

Thank you very much for your kind replies.
Here is a link to the short (8sec) video:

 

[wvar]

There are buzzards here on the thermals very often, but I these were smaller than buzzards and were hanging on the wind, I believe.

 

[Butty]

It is hanging on the wind - not hovering. Looks like a (common) buzzard. How photos lie...

 

[Butty]

these were smaller than buzzards

In fact, not. Judging the size of a lone bird (or of two near each other but of the same species) is notoriously unreliable.

 

[wvar]

Thanks for this. We have lots of buzzards here but I've never seen this behaviour before, and was convinced the wing shape was more compact.

 

[wolfbirder]

They tuck them in a bit when hanging like this.
But they look like Buzzard in the photos and the clip, to me.

 

[Edwin Sapatsch]

It is hanging on the wind - not hovering. Looks like a (common) buzzard. How photos lie...

Agree. I have often seen Buzzards, up to eight, holding into a decent wind on the brow of a hill in Cumbria and Scotland. Seen solitary Golden Eagles doing the same thing on Skye.

 

[Joern Lehmhus]

Well, common bussards also do hover occasionally, but hanging in the wind is more common behaviour for them. I agree on common bussards (Buteo buteo) for the birds in question.

 

[Farnboro John]

Common Buzzards (smaller than kites BTW but the shape is spot on). They both hover and hang on the wind as appropriate to circumstances. Some experts and some literature say Common Buzzards can't hover in still air conditions but (1) those rarely apply in Scotland and (2) if (and I mean if) they can't hover in still air then they can hover on the lightest of light zephyrs.

John

 

[Macswede]

In Sweden I see Common Buzzards hovering now and again.