Sunday, August 10, 2025
We drove south down the coast in cool, showery weather. I spotted what looked like a buzzard far out over the sheep fields and then realised it was following a hen harrier.
The two birds had a bit of aggro before the harrier flew on, seemingly with something in its talons.
I picked up the raptors again, flying low over the distant beach - the buzzard in hot pursuit of the harrier. The harrier was lost to view but the buzzard flew back up the fields and landed on a post - clearly, with something under one foot - before flying off again and vanishing. Did the buzzard pinch the harrier's prey? Was it even a buzzard? Meanwhile, two small birds dashed about just above me hawking insects - and I can say with confidence that these were sand martins! Also seen - distant curlews and a lapwing, several pied wagtails, four red-throated divers found by Greger, and a very distant raptor which the camera helped prove was a golden eagle.
