This lad and his mate have been nesting on my property for over 10 years now. Wishing them a long life ahead.
Common buzzards are now a familiar sight throughout much of the irish countryside since their successful comeback a few decades ago after nearly being driven to extinction by persecution from superstition and myths surrounding their alleged danger to sheep.
(they do not attack livestock nor are they big enough to be any danger) they provide a useful service in keeping rabbits, rats, mice, pigeon, crow and magpie numbers in check.
18 comments
That’s a brilliant photo
Any advice on how to attract them to a few acres of land in Leitrim? Have heard attaching wooden “nests” at the top of trees might work.
much nicer than the buzzards in america
I love watching them just catch a thermal and cruise around for ages, then suddenly dive bomb into the fields around me for a tasty rat
Seen one trying to lift of from the water with a bird he d grabbed on the nanny estuary in county Meath he was quickly hassled by the other birds to drop it witch he duly did , amazing sight .
Saw one perched in the middle of the road on my way to work yesterday. He just took off with something in his mouth as I rounded the corner.
How do you know his name is Conor?
I’ve always been interested in ornithology (wouldn’t call myself a birdwatcher but I take note of any birds I see, picked it up from my father). Always loved seeing birds of prey. 20 years ago, if you said that the most common bird of prey I’d see would be a buzzard, and not a kestrel, I’d have told you to get your head checked.
I can’t recall ever seeing one as a child, but I see these fellas fairly frequently.
Be great if we could do the golden eagle next.
Few family’s of them around Camlough / Cooley areas
I had never seen one until about 10 years ago. Now there are a dozen or more of them around our farm.
Where we are in Kilkenny, there are probably 5 or 6 mating pairs in a pretty small area. I love them so much. They glide in front of my car when I’m driving up our road, and I love watching them mess with the crows! Beautiful, wonderful creatures.
For the first time, I saw one this morning over my back garden being mobbed by a Rook.
Here’s a website where you can record all your sightings of interesting flora and fauna. The Buzzard appears to be sighted regularly around the country.
https://records.biodiversityireland.ie/start-recording
There’s an app for the phone that you you use on the move but I find it doesn’t work too well.
I’ve recently noticed a few of these big beautiful bastards up north too. It’s good to see they are recovering
Cool.
Ever seen it go in for the kill?
Fantastic! Delighted for ye.
That is an incredible photo! Are these for sale anywhere? There’s a nesting pair near me as well but the only photos I’ve ever managed to grab were bad quality – they soar too high!
I love listening to them though. They go from 2 in the spring to 3-4 in late summer. It’s lovely to see them about.
I’m watching one now flying really high up. I’m above Roundwood and I regularly see a pair I have called Saoirse and Ronán. They are magnificent birds!
This is a great thread and super photo from OP. Is anyone aware of any worthwhile Irish nature groups on Reditt?