Common Buzzard and Pink-footed Geese

During the autumn and winter earthworms are an important part of the Common Buzzards diet and they can be seen standing and walking, or even running sometimes, in fields in search of their prey. They often sit on the dry stone walls or, as in this case, a fence post from which they can watch their chosen field. The pale iris on this bird indicates that it is not yet an adult.

Common Buzzard

Several parties of Pink-footed Geese have overflown the area during the past week some still going SE, presumably to the Wash but other skeins have been seen heading back NW as at least 300 did this morning in 2 large skeins. There used to be a distinct gap between birds passing over SE in the autumn and early winter and returning NW in the late winter but that distinction is now rather blurred perhaps linked to the timing of food availability around the Humber and Wash.

Pink-footed Geese

Raven display

With the first decent days sunshine of the year I witnessed plenty of display from both Raven, one of our earliest breeding birds, and Buzzard yesterday.
The Raven is unusual amongst British birds in that it will regularly do a complete roll whilst in flight and I just managed to catch this bird whilst it was upside-down and calling.

Raven - rolling

I also got a reasonable comparison shot of Raven and Buzzard flying together for size comparison, similar size with Raven just a bit longer in the wing.

Raven and Common Buzzard

Common Buzzard - first display

First signs of the changing seasons this week with Buzzards displaying. Typically circling and then closing their wings in a steep swooping dive before opening their wings, often with legs dangling, as this bird. The process often accompanied by the characteristic mewing calls.
A Chiffchaff calling in Bakewell will be one that has over wintered, benefitting from the mild winter, rather than a migrant at this time.
I've posted a short write up on a trip to Holland last weekend on my Wildlife Diaries Blog.

Common Buzzard - display

Buzzard and Crow

As the breeding season approaches there is an increasing level of interaction as birds pass through others territories. This Buzzard came too close to the Crows selected nest site and was rapidly chased away.

Common Buzzard mobbed by Carrion Crow

The Great Grey Shrike was again in Wragg's Quarry this morning but I was still unable to identify what it was feeding on. It's a small beetle I think, I saw it disgorge another pellet so may have a look for it later.

Great Grey Shrike with insect food item

Common Buzzard - Screetham Lane

Well the snow has gone and the roads are clear and with a blue sky this morning it is a much better day than yesterday. I walked around Chatsworth yesterday but other than a male Gooseander on the river there was little of note.
There were at least three Buzzards hunting over the Streatham fields this morning and, surprisingly at least 16 Golden Plover.

Common Buzzard

Common Buzzard take off

I counted 11 Common Buzzards over Halldale Wood yesterday which shows how well they are doing locally. This birds was photographed this morning in somewhat greyer light. 
Saw my first Curlew back on the moor this morning with 2 birds on Screetham Lane, Ken had the first back on 22nd February but number should increase quickly from now on.
Added Common Quaker to the moth list on Wednesday night but it has generally been too cold for moths.

Common Buzzard

Last post of the year

It has rained most of the day so it has been hard work but I've seen Peregrines, Ravens, Tawny Owl and a new bird for the local patch Tree Sparrow with at least 6 with about 30 Yellowhammer at Press Reservoir by the public footpath. Tree Sparrows are found in good numbers at Carsington but these are the first I've seen locally.
Also managed to confirm that the obliging Common Buzzard is feeding mainly on small worms.

I'm sure 2014 will produce some good local sightings, I have a long list of species I would like to see but who knows.

Common Buzzard with worm

Common Buzzard running

Nothing new to report over the last couple of days but a count of 29 Herring Gulls on flooded fields bordering the moor was a record for me, all appeared to be the British race argenteus. Several Raven which are already starting to display are always nice to see.
I walked around Chatsworth again this morning and saw several parties of Crossbill, but none close up, and at least 50 Brambling. 
I had a bit of luck with Ken's Buzzard and got a nice sequence of it running towards me, still not certain what it is eating although Ken has seen it with the odd earth worm.

Common Buzzard

Common Buzzard - Beeley Moor

Here are three more from Ken Smith's camera. Ken has benefited from some sunny spells this week but you still need to be able to find and get close to the birds. Buzzards are surprisingly shy for a species that is now so widespread and regularly encountered in the Peak District. This bird has been feeding on a grassy field, initially I thought it might be after earth worms but that doesn't appear to be the case and it may be crane fly larva (leather jackets). Great photos in any case.
The pale iris and neatly buff fringed upper wing coverts age this bird as a juvenile in its first calendar year.

Common Buzzard (Ken Smith)

Buzzard nesting activity

The sunnier weather has prompted the local Buzzards to start the breeding cycle in earnest now with birds displaying and carrying nesting material. Also came across the bird below carrying the hind quarters of a rabbit which I presume he will present to his chosen female. 
The snow on the ground is a big help in lighting the underside when photographing flying birds from below.

Common Buzzard

Common Buzzard

Although it has been a very grey day today the snow on the ground has helped to light up the underside of this nicely marked Common Buzzard.

Common Buzzard

Common Buzzard - Stanton Lees

Common Buzzard

Common Buzzard

There was a brief respite from the rain and overcast skies this morning. This Common Buzzard drifted over Chatsworth and the Great Spotted Woodpeckers appeared to be enjoying it with a male and two females together on Bent Lanes before the rain commenced again early afternoon.

Common Buzzard

Common Buzzard

At least 5 Common Buzzard over the house today, nice to see some blue sky!

Common Buzzard