Raptorous Birding

Image via WikipediaA fairly bright and mild Autumn day tempered with a slightly chilly wind and we were off in search of a Rough-legged Buzzard and a Hen Harrier. To avoid disappointment later I will say straight away that our recent record of missing the target continued.

It was a marvellous day for views of other raptors though as we trampted the crest of the Downs overlooking Amberley with distant views of Arundel Castle across the valley. We had already seen a Kestrel or two when Mrs Birdguru spotted what she thought was another and four Red Kites wheeling and diving to the North above a distant farm.

Once the 'scope was brought to bear it transpired that there were five Kites and a Kestrel to be seen. This was a glorious sight but by the end of the afternoon we would be almost blase about Kites, Kestrels and Buzzards.

Stones perched all the way along a fence

Sudden huge smoke cloud from far copse

 A few minutes later on the other side of the hill facing South we came across another birding couple who were watching a Red Kite, one again the 'scope revealed another. One of the two Kites was sweeping the ground in the valley below and getting closer and closer. Even through the binoculars it was a thrilling sight.

After some further forays down the many intersecting bridlepaths in search of the Rough-legged and Hen Harrier, we retired to the car for lunch. Even sitting in the car at our startpoint we were treated to a cabaret of more Red Kites and a Buzzard.

After lunch we set off again and eventually encountered someone who had apparently just come from viewing the Rough-legged and gave us fairly explicit directions. Nevertheless when we got there we just had more stunning views of Kestrel, Kite and Common Buzzard.

We did notice that there was a group of birders in the distance apparently looking intently towards a group of trees to the left of us. Using the 'scope and moving around we eventually had good views of a pale-looking roosting Buzzard. A fine sight but, however much we wanted to make it the RLB my birding mentor was sure it was just another Common. I think at one point we remarked on how we were sounding disappointed as we said "another Kite" or "another Buzzard" but of course these are wonderful sights in their own right and contributed to the feeling that we had actually had a marvellous day's birding.


During the course of our rambles we had also seen many smaller species down to a perky Jenny Wren. As well as a few excitable Skylarks, there seemed to be a great number of Fieldfares about and also some Long-tailed Tits amonst the Bluetits and Great Tits.