Rough-legged at Woodborough – not
January 16, 2012 in Holiday and Trip Reports by Jim Steele
Well, in birding parlance: I ‘dipped’. The Rough-legged Buzzard that was more than a week on Gedling Tip has for the last week been at Woodborough close by so I finally went to see it – but it wasn’t there.
Did see over 50 Golden Plover, two Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, dozens of Fieldfare, Great-spotted Woodpecker, 5 Mistle Thrush and what looked like a distant pair of Ravens. Some good company, however, of fellow disappointed and very cold birders. Hey ho. Good chance it will be back in the area so I’ve included the map.
Jim
Hmmm, Jim, I think there’s some doubt as to whether the bird has been there at all. At least some recent reports relate to a very pale buteo, certainly not the Gedling bird as far as I understand. See http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=69383&page=17, at the bottom of the thread, and continuing onto pg 18 of the same thread.
Don’t shoot the messenger anyone, just relaying what I’ve read.
Well that would be disappointing and I’d be surprised as I understand some pretty good birders have given it their blessing. I was speaking to a local guy at Woodborough yesterday and he seemed convinced but you do get very pale C Buzzards! Indeed, I saw a pale Buzzard that had me going for a bit but it was definitely a CB. I would have thought it would have been properly ID’d however as with good views shouldn’t be too difficult to sort out on build as well as plumage.
Watch this space I guess!
Hi Jim, in that case I think it’s more likely that it has been there but some people have got confused and confused it with the Pale CB. Good luck.
Maybe, or I’m more optimistic and trusting in birders’ ID skills than I should be!
Not seen yesterday or today, or at least not posted on Birdguides. Be interesting what happens over the weekend.
RLB is a superb bird, more like an small eagle than a Buteo.
Jim