Bird of Prey in Scotland

[kevbirder]

http://s202.photobucket.com/albums/aa146/kevbirder/Scotland%202009/?action=view&current=SG104809.jpg

I hope this link works to a bird of prey photo that I took in Scotland. I don't want to influence people's opinion on it, the photo is clear enough that it should be easy, yet I am struggling to be certain on giving an ID.

The area where it is taken holds many different birds of prey. Anything that might be in Scotland is possible.

I'm expecting at least 2 different ideas on this, but if there is only one then I guess that must be it.

Thanks for your opinions

[Harry Hussey]

Hi Kevin,
This is a definite Common Buzzard, the underwing pattern, general structure and white U-shaped band on the lower breast all point towards this species.
Regards,
Harry

[shearwater2002]

Harry is correct.
I would like to hear why you think it may not be a Buzzard?

[kevbirder]

OK, I too am happy with Buzzard, but here's the catch - I have a series of photos, that start with two large birds of prey, believed to be Golden Eagles and ends with one bird (thought at the time to be one of the two) flying past. I cannot see where in the series the bird morphed from one species to the next. I will try to attach some of the first pictures here.

Perhaps we just fooled ourselves into thinking that the first two birds were really eagles. Now I'd really like an opinion on these first pictures...

[bitterntwisted]

All the pictures show only Common Buzzards.

Graham

[Mark Andrews]

All the pictures show only Common Buzzards.

Graham

Agree with Graham

[birdertrev]

Two Common Buzzards I'm afraid :beer:

[Colin Key]

.......I have a series of photos, that start with two large birds of prey, believed to be Golden Eagles and ends with one bird (thought at the time to be one of the two) flying past. I cannot see where in the series the bird morphed from one species to the next.......

Hi Kev,

This is the second thread (see one below yours re: Greater Spotted Eagle) which has left me feeling a bit geriatric; I do not understand the part of your post which I quote above, and there is certainly nothing there to suggest Golden Eagle.

Colin :err:

[kevbirder]

OK if no one thinks the first birds were eagles then you are probably all right. To me and another birdwatcher, both of us very familiar with buzzard, the first pair of birds were massive in size. We saw several buzzards within the hour of these birds and had no problems with identifying them as buzzards.
Sorry to waste your time on such a mundane bird. It was a shock to me when I later saw the plumage of the bird in the closer photo as clearly it looks like buzzard when we thought we were watching eagles.

Thanks for your help