What Birds of prey hover over water ? (1 Viewer)

[Côg]

Saw a strange Kite shape tailed bird hovering over Bala lake at 4pm today.
The bird was dark/blackish with a largish white patch underneath just before it's tail.It was not a red kite as i see them all the time and it's wingspan was not quite as long.
Any ideas please ?
Thanks:

 

[kristoffer]

Osprey

 

[YourBirdOasis]

I agree, Osprey. Check it out here http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Osprey/id.

 

[BGVI]

I agree, Osprey. Check it out here http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Osprey/id.

osprey

 

[ta brandreth]

Buzzard? Ospreys should be well through by now...

 

[Apodemus]

You'd have to rule out buzzard before anything else and, I don't think that you can do this on the description given.

 

[gradders52]

'Hovering'???
as in Kestrel or riding the thermals as in Buzzard?
g

 

[Colin]

'Hovering'???
as in Kestrel or riding the thermals as in Buzzard?
g

Buzzards also hover like a Kestrel sometimes. This activity depends upon the weather conditions and needs a little bit of wind. I have been told that Buzzards in differing parts of the UK are more or less likely to do this. Around here in Gloucestershire, I have seen this on occasion but in Scotland I have seen it a lot. This may be because of the more open, rolling terrrain in parts of Scotland coupled with the likelihood of more wind makes it easier for them to do this.

 

[ceasar]

Believe it or not, just yesterday afternoon, I saw an American Kestrel (male) hovering and flying and gliding over a small lake. It had taken off from it's perch on the top of a telephone pole next to the lake just before it did this. The only thing I can think of is that it was after flying insects.
Bob

 

[ta brandreth]

ozzie in Yorkshire today...