Plumbob Posted December 9, 2008 Report Share Posted December 9, 2008 Ive never seen so many in one spot, just off the A46 near Stratford just after the Hampton Lucy turn there must have been 8 or 9 just stood around in a field of young wheat. Are they siblings just hanging around together or is this normal behaviour, never seen this before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
955i Posted December 9, 2008 Report Share Posted December 9, 2008 I have seen something similar when I lived in Devon. We came up the lane to our place and a farmers field rose to a ridge over the road from us. I could see shapes on the ridge but didn't know what they were until we parked up and twelve buzzards took off and started circling. I've seen 3 or 4 before but never that many. No idea what they were doing though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malkiserow Posted December 9, 2008 Report Share Posted December 9, 2008 Ive never seen so many in one spot, just off the A46 near Stratford just after the Hampton Lucy turn there must have been 8 or 9 just stood around in a field of young wheat. Are they siblings just hanging around together or is this normal behaviour, never seen this before. Yep......there are lots in the area. Had one drop onto a flock of woodies on the rape on Sunday. I guess he must have been hungry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greenhunter Posted December 9, 2008 Report Share Posted December 9, 2008 I'm not positive on this but I think they might be after moles Saw one in the same place for a few days a while ago, in newly sewn corn surrounded by mole hills. Sounds a bit daft now I've written it but that was only thing I could put it down to at the time I do know they will take worms but would have thought that would be on new ploughing and right behind the tractor. At the risk of making an a... of myself Im still going to post this Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandersj89 Posted December 9, 2008 Report Share Posted December 9, 2008 They will be a family group, siblings and adults. They are mainly looking for worms and grubs, a significant protion of a buzzards diet is made up of similar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greenhunter Posted December 9, 2008 Report Share Posted December 9, 2008 They will be a family group, siblings and adults. They are mainly looking for worms and grubs, a significant protion of a buzzards diet is made up of similar. Sounds better than my idea anyway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anser2 Posted December 9, 2008 Report Share Posted December 9, 2008 Always a good sign when there are buzzards in the air when I am pigeon shooting. They stir up the distant flocks and keep the pigeons on the move. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plumbob Posted December 9, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 9, 2008 Love the mole theory Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldrick Posted December 9, 2008 Report Share Posted December 9, 2008 We have a couple of pairs of buzzards (and offspring) on the farm, which tend to mong about on drilled fields, staring into the middle distance. There's certainly no frenetic mole hunting. I'm glad somebody else brought this up, as I wondered whether our buzzards are simpletons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plumbob Posted December 10, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 10, 2008 I thought it was just a one off but I have been past this place twice in the past two weeks and they have been there both times just stood about looking glum. Its the credit crunch they've been laid off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CEREALTHRILLER Posted December 11, 2008 Report Share Posted December 11, 2008 The last time I was at the clays with "the boy" a Buzzard flew right in between 2 stands. It landed on the ground and as far as we know it didn't fly off. Very strange - but we have seen rabbits wandering about right beside the traps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old trutta Posted December 22, 2008 Report Share Posted December 22, 2008 (edited) There were quite a few Buzzards in a field going up the hill on the A30 as you go out of Yeovil. Perhaps as many as five. Which could be what, a family group? , Why gather there? I think all looking for worms, it was a winter wheat field. Have any readers seen a buzzard ever kill anything? Again while driving a car I glanced out of the window and saw a Buzzard sort of roll about and kill a rook in mid flight ( a few rooks were mobbing it). It then stooped after the rook and pounced upon it as it hit the ground. Of all the years Ive spent out and about that is the only time Ive seen a buzzard actually kill its prey.Cant remember if the buzzard ate the unfortunate rook, I'd driven past (this happened as quick as a flash). Buzzards are getting to be a common site, I spend alot of time in the car and see them in places I never used to (like around Birmingham recently). A countryman I know says their success is down to the amount of road kill available, and less persecution by keepers, but Im not so sure. Anyway, I'll get me coat. Edited December 22, 2008 by Old trutta Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anser2 Posted December 22, 2008 Report Share Posted December 22, 2008 The spread and increase in common buzzard numbers is most likely due to more enlightened gamekeepers. We have only had buzzards as a breeding species for the past 20 years in Norfolk and some of the keepers encourage them by putting out winter food ( rabbits ) for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greybeard Posted January 8, 2009 Report Share Posted January 8, 2009 Buzzards are mainly carrion eaters. They spend much time, as has been said, worming in fields. The groups you are seeing are more than likely family groups from the recent breeding season. That years youngster are still hoping for free meals. They can often be heard mewing to the parents. Come late winter/early spring the youngsters will be driven off to find their own territory. the mature pairs will be seen wheeling and 'sparring' in the air going through their mating ritual. Sometimes a pair will lock talons and spin almost to the ground before releasing-- a great sight. Only on rare accoassion will a Buzzard be seen hunting live quarry - in spring (usually baby bunny's) when they are feeding chicks and in hard weather when their beloved worms etc are frozen in. The increase in population is thought in most quarters to be due to the lack of persecution by more enlightened Keepers/Shooters Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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