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Kites and Buzzards

Its strange how kites will be so common for ages and then suddenly vanish for weeks. When I came home from holiday on the August Bank Holiday weekend there was one circling over my house which was a lovely way to be welcomed home. I didn't see another for a full month when, heading home from the dentist, I saw one over White Hill in Chesham.

Travelling to work yesterday a large bird of prey flew low across the road being mobbed by several crows. It was too quick for a firm identification but the lack of forked tail or bright russet plumage has me putting it down as a buzzard. I have seen them around here a number of times although they are nowhere near as common as the kites.

Having overstocked on fat blocks at the end of last season I have put one out in the front garden, although I would not normally start feeding for several weeks yet. I haven't seen anything on it and it isn't going down very fast but there are a few beak marks. It certainly isn't prompting me to put out the other feeders for a while.

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