Friday 23 November 2012

Common Buzzard

It wasn't that long ago that these birds were confined to the wilder parts of the country. Now, they are the most common bird of prey in the British Isles. This has led to calls for their culling, most notably a few months ago by certain members of the Tory party, which in turn led to public outcry. Thankfully, this 'cull' was cancelled, but persecution still continues. Huge numbers of this bird are poisoned and killed each and every year, illegally and some people have been prosecuted for this, but the punishment is not severe enough, in my opinion.

Up until recently I have never been able to get a photo of a Buzzard, they are very wary creatures and fly and the slightest movement. Not surprising really! At the weekend success was had by staying in the van and getting lucky.


Below is an attempt at a shot of one soaring. Not great, but fairly pleasing.


We live in a supposed civilised country, surely it is time for the persecution of this and all other birds of prey to stop. I live in hope.

If you want to help click HERE, it is a link to the RSPB website and their campaign to end this killing.

16 comments:

  1. Beautifully clear close shot John, well done.

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  2. Magnificent birds and have been given an unfair reputation. Have watched them for years, mostly gathering bugs from boggy areas, and road kill. Very heavy and somewhat awkward birds they don't have the speed or dexterity to hunt songbirds. Lovely photos.

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    1. Thanks Minerva Black,
      Yes, I too, have seen them picking worms from a ploughed field, very strange to see! I think, we as humans blame anything except ourselves for the fall in numbers of certain birds and animals.
      J

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  3. Yes, I agree with you, killing the Buzzard is one of the dirtiest things that human being can do. Horrible.

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    1. Hi Bob, yes, persecution of birds of prey still goes on and blind eyes are turned towards it! Outrageous and despicable!
      J

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  4. couldnt agree more John, they are beautiful birds and I live in hope with you, I have been after a shot of one sat on a post for ages, got it last week while photographing waxwings!!
    http://walksnwildlife.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/welsh-waxwings.html

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    1. Hi Gary,
      Seen your shots, I am ashamed to show you mine! Lovely shots!
      J

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  5. Thats a really nice shot John. I am more use to seeing these fine birds in my native Somerset where they are plentiful, but increasingly I have seen them up here. Sometimes they are so high you can barely see them at all.
    (Whats this about you getting lucky in a van?)

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    1. Thanks Roy,
      That does sound a bit strange about getting lucky in a van! I meant, of course, got lucky by staying in the van and the bird not moving!
      That doesn't sound a lot better, does it!?
      J

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  6. Dear John,
    I didn't know that you have so many buzzards in Great Britain - and that they are trying to cull them. It is a long time since I saw one - from the window of a car or train, mostly, sitting on a post. Are they destroying anything so that men want to stop them?

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    1. Hi Britta,
      The problem with all birds of prey is that they tend to eat things which is why man continues to kill them. The birds have this outrageous thought that the pheasant poults and grouse chicks are not allowed to be touched until they are adult and then some rich 'toff' can pay thousands to blast them out of the sky!
      J

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  7. Beautiful birds John, and beyond me why some members of our society want to kill them.

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    1. Hi Keith,
      Lovely birds, as are all birds of prey. Unfortunately, we live in a society where money talks and these birds are an easy target!
      J

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  8. Lovely photo of the Buzzard on the branch! Well done for getting so close John! As you say, it is not easy.

    The persecution of birds of prey is a disgrace! It is sometimes difficult to see how we are described as a 'civilised' country, I suspect that description was dreamt up by the same arrogant people who are responsible for so much of the persecution. Incidentally, I saw on the tv this week proof of what many had always suspected, that fox hunting carries on as it always has, there was footage of a fox being rescued, literally from the jaws of the hounds, the so called ban is a joke!

    I see I somehow missed your Great White Egret and also your Kestrel posts :-( I have never seen a GWE so it was particularly nice to observe it on your video, it isn't that long since I saw a Little Egret for the first time! The early morning Kestrel photos were beautiful.

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    1. Hi Jan,
      As ever, Thank you for your kind words about my humble efforts!
      We, as humans seem to think we can carry on regardless, killing and destroying everything nature has and not suffer the consequences! It makes me thoroughly ashamed to be part of this murdering, arrogant race! Ashamed and depressed!
      J

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