Hi and welcome to my Blog, my name is Paul Riddle and I live in south Leicestershire, UK. Back in August 2007 my quest began to locate as many local Little Owl territories as possible. The driving force was a reported decline in the uk numbers so I thought I would do my bit and conduct a study in my area. After 7 years and countless hours out in the field I have detected over 200 different sites. With a thirst for a greater understanding of the owls a more comprehensive monitoring and nest box programme then commenced. This also now includes monitoring the local and very sparse population of Barn Owls, please pop back occasionally and catch up with the life and times of my owls and any other wildlife that I come across. I hope you enjoy your visit!!!

Friday 28 February 2014

Buzzing!

Sorry but nothing to report of late regarding the local owls, any free time I have had recently has been spent with the now long staying Buzzard. A brilliant and very confiding individual that strangely just doesn't seem to be afraid of humans? Luckily it is only a short drive from my home so just "popping" over early morning is no major chore.

Upon arrival the Buzzard was to be found in it's usual place perched up in the roadside tree. I parked up and poked the camera out of the car window took a few portrait shots and then waited for something to happen...........


After a while of watching it do nothing it eventually drop down into the field and started to feed on the remnants of what I can only presume was a recent kill. On a previous visit I witnessed the Buzzard drop down from its usual perch in the "petrified tree" and fly at full speed head first into the bottom of a Hawthorne bush?? There was a right commotion as it flapped and twisted about? It then re-emerged seeming none the worse with a small rodent in its talons, I have no idea what it was feeding on this time but it was significantly bigger than a rodent, a rabbit maybe?



It was a cloudless sky and full early morning sun, consequently the light was excellent which allowed for some higher shutter speeds and a bit of flighty action.  

 


I do hope this guy hangs around for a while yet as I just can't get enough of it, I've never had views of a Buzzard quite like it before and to honest I don't expect to get them again, so it a case of making hay whilst the suns shines. A brilliant experience, a real buzz!.

14 comments:

  1. I love my buzzards and a chance to get this close doesn't come around often so it is best to make hay whilst it lasts but you'll have to change the name of your blog lol
    I've been looking at that kill and it looks like a rabbit it, I think. All of them are fantastic shots, it's a stunning bird, well done.

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  2. Brilliant Images mate.................................see you Sunday

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  3. Fabulous shots. What a beautiful bird!
    We have a pair of buzzards around the fields here, each summer. They are amazingly tame when I walk slowly towards them , even if I`m pushing a wheelbarrow. They help to keep the rabbit population down.

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  4. Lovely images, and good to see that you're having some nice weather too.

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    1. The good weather was very short lived, thanks for visiting.

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  5. beautiful bird photographed perfectly ..
    great series ..
    regards Frank

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  6. Great shots. I have come close a couple of times but never quick enough. Anywhere near cosby?

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  7. WOW!
    Superb footage, Richard!
    They can certainly fill their crops very seriously....
    Pic N°2 is a laugh!!!!
    and the last shot is a must! :)

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