Rough-legged Buzzard - Sleddale

[JohnM]

A few record shots of the Rough-legs (just to far away for good shots) at Sleddale today. The shots may be rubbish but the display by these and the other raptors made a great show.

JohnM

[Keith Ryan]

You're a bit on the modest side John, you've whetted my appetite, I'll be up there tomorrow.

[JohnM]

Thanks Keith
If the show tomorrow is anything like today you won't be dissapointed

JohnM

[Ted Parker]

These are nice photos, John.

The bird showing the striking underside markings is an adult female, which is the one that paraded close in front of the appreciative crowd today (30th October).  It is aged and sexed by its conspicuous black wing tips and trailing edge to the under-wings; solid black carpal patches; large, black belly patch; a diffuse brownish head (lacking the 'hooded' effect of the male) and black sub-terminal tail band (this is very subdued in a juvenile).  The upperparts of today's bird showed no white at the bases of the primaries of the upper wings, which were mainly unform dark brown, and the the upper tail showed a single, broad, black subterminal band.

I saw the second bird today in the air and interacting with the adult female but it was a long way off and I wasn't able to age or sex it but was told by those who have seen it well that it is a juvenile.

Ted