@653ade40 If you get a more definitive ID, could you share it on this thread, please, Bee? I'd be really interested to know. I've emailed the RSPB before now, and they were helpful. And particularly as it could be a rare species, they may appreciate the observation
@7d974ee7 the bird hospital will confirm the species if it survives long enough to get there. Its about 70 miles away and nigh on a 4 hour round trip or we would have taken it straight down
@653ade40 Ah, I only just read your OP edit about it being sick. The poor thing. Any clue what may be wrong? Is there bird flu in your area? So glad it found someone who cared enough to get it care 🙏🏼
@7d974ee7 i think it was starving, no weight on it at all
@653ade40 That's terrible. There's no reason for such a creature to be starving at this time of year 😕
@7d974ee7 there is little for them to eat. No rabbits, thanks to viral hemoragic and little fallen stock since foot and mouth. Young buzzards often end up in the bird hospital with their crops full of grass because they are that hungry. And once they are too weak to hunt thats it
@653ade40 That's bad. I had no idea it was so bleak for them here in Wales. I assumed that buzzard numbers were still well supported by upland moorlands. My impression may have been distorted by the numbers of healthy birds I see locally, here in NE Wales. For example, in the last few days, I've been seeing four birds flying together
@7d974ee7 we have kites here near Llandovery more than buzzards nowadays. Still see the odd 1 or 3. Its mainly youngsters that struggle not being effective hunters. Kites are more varied in their diet
@7d974ee7 if it is a hawk I'll put it on the app I have on my phone for sightings
Oddbean new post about login | logout 