Another one off the bucket list

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Goldfynche

Senior Member
Been coming up to Scotland for 7 years before I finally moved up here almost 2 years ago.
As a keen bird watcher it was obviously on my 'to do' list to see a Golden Eagle. I envisaged a day trip or even a weekend off up into the real highlands with the hope of seeing this elusive beast.
So imagine my surprise when one actually started hovering and wheeling in the sky right over my house this afternoon! I would have dismissed it as a buzzard, but my daughter who is also a birdie, rightly pointed out that it was too high and way too large! And then when it started calling. That clinched it!
A day to remember!
 

Several years ago, I was out in my backyard when I heard this noise. As I looked up, saw something headed towards the field in back of my house, it swooped down and grabbed something (could have been a rabbit or some small animal) It opened it's wings, I could not believe what I was seeing, it was huge! I do believe it was an eagle, they are around in Pa. I just stayed really still and watched it and in a matter of seconds, it took off. An animal that size could probably lift a small child. Only ever saw one in my life, it wasn't a golden eagle, it may have been what we call an American Eagle.
 
Yes! We have to be constantly vigilant! We have two tiny chihuahuas, smaller than the average cat. We would never allow them in the garden u supervised!
 

What a wonderful sighting! They are sure a majestic bird. They are more of a predator than a scavenger, taking prey the size of a fox or a crane, so it's good your pups aren't unattended.

Years ago, someone brought me a golden eagle in a box. It was still alive but suffered from lead poisoning, from ingesting a fish that had a lead sinker in it. Sadly, no matter what we tried, it didn't survive.

We have several bald eagles in my area which we enjoy watching. I also love watching the turkey vultures. What a wing span on them!
 
Buzzards are large and kind of goofy looking if you ask me, least the ones round here. They truly are scavengers and often travel in groups. I have seen them in the middle of the road devouring roadkill! They are about the size of a turkey or a large chicken. I actually just saw a bunch of them today--say, what is the correct term, it's not a gaggle--anyone know?
 
Carla said:
Buzzards are large and kind of goofy looking if you ask me, least the ones round here. They truly are scavengers and often travel in groups. I have seen them in the middle of the road devouring roadkill! They are about the size of a turkey or a large chicken. I actually just saw a bunch of them today--say, what is the correct term, it's not a gaggle--anyone know?
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A group of vultures are called a venue. They have a 6 foot wing span, are two and a half feet tall, only weight about 4 pounds and can live past 20 years. Awesome watching them in the treetops after a rain, wings spread to dry them out. Yes, they sure love their carrion. Just don't get too close to them when they are feeding, otherwise they actually will try to throw up on you.
 
Carla said:
Buzzards are large and kind of goofy looking if you ask me, least the ones round here. They truly are scavengers and often travel in groups. I have seen them in the middle of the road devouring roadkill! They are about the size of a turkey or a large chicken. I actually just saw a bunch of them today--say, what is the correct term, it's not a gaggle--anyone know?
Click to expand...

Yes, on two occasions whilst driving along narrow country roads up here in Scotland, I have had to slow down and negotiate around a buzzard that stubbornly refused to abandon its roadkill prize. Tucking in like there was no tomorrow!
 
I am so happy you got to see your eagle. We have those crazy buzzards here also. They are so ugly! They have red heads and necks that look featherless. They love their roadkill. I guess its a good thing, they don't do a good job of picking up roadkill here so they do the dirty work.
 
That sounds great Goldfynch, I'm impressed that you recognize the call. We see some eagles and hawks where I live too, saw a Red Tailed Hawk fly from one on my trees in the yard with a snake in his mouth, always taking cautions when I let my cat out. Can't say I ever saw any buzzards in real life.
 
I think that the term Buzzard must refer to two quite different birds. In the UK, the Buzzard (Buteo buteo) is one of the most common raptors, is of medium size with a wingspan of about 4 feet, and usually solitary. I often see them perching on fence posts or trees. I've seen them taking live prey, but never eating carrion.

buzz_tcm9-166971.jpg
 
Used to be a feeder and I remember hawks coming to try and "feed" on the variety of beautiful small birds that sought my feeders...
 

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