David Craine
Senior Member & Supporter
Hi Joe,I agree that they can vary a lot, I often wonder if some of the paler ones are maybe juveniles?
About 30 years ago there were only a few places I would see them in Cheshire, in the south-west Peak and over towards the sandstone ridge. Now they are everywhere, and arguably one of the most common birds. I reckon I'm pretty much guaranteed to see one of almost every farm I step foot on.
A good few years back I got mobbed by a pair whilst surveying some land towards the Wrekin in Shrops. I think they had recently fledged young and they weren't use to having people around. They were stooping from around 100m but then pulling away once they got to within a few metres...it was pretty hair raising! Hard to see as they were coming out of the sun. Never had it happen since.
my son lives in Germany, in a heavily wooded hilly area, he runs daily on the tracks through the woods, and regularly gets “mugged” by some large Raptors, the Germans call the Raptors “Adler” which translates to Eagles, but I am not sure if they are actually Eagles or Buzzards .
When running, especially in the colder months Matthew wears a wooly hat, he has had the hat stolen by the birds several times, in fact he had a minor injury to his scalp once caused by the talons of the birds. He now needs eyes in the back of his head to keep away from the birds. He also rides an off road cycle on the same tracks but the birds dont seem to bother him when riding , its just the running that seems to attract unwanted attention.
I have walked in the woods many times and heard the mewing of Buzzards, but have also seen several raptors at distance which were much larger and in fact could easily be Eagles judging by the wing shape ., they are known to be in the area.
David