Sunday 14 September 2014

14th September 2014 Beachy E3 Overcast

Honey Buzzard 1 juvenile west and then inland
Sparrowhawk 1
Kestrel 4+
Hobby 1
Great Spotted Woodpecker 2
Swallow c.350 E
House Martin c.500 E
Sand Martin 5 E
Pied Wagtail 3 E
Grey Wagtail 6 E
Yellow Wagtail 15 E
Meadow Pipit c.300 E
Wheatear 8
Whinchat 1
Whitethroat 6
Chiffchaff 7
Linnet 10

 
 
 
Juvenile Honey Buzzard over Chat Vale
A rather large, full-bodied and broad-winged Honey Buzzard with a rather prominent 'sixth' primary so reminiscent of juvenile Oriental Honey Buzzards seen on Hegura-jima although the oval-shaped dark carpal patches quickly dispel such thoughts! From Common Buzzard the two very narrow dark inner tail bars are diagnostic as are the dark bars traversing the pale inner primaries, the pale greater coverts of its underwings forming a pale wing-band and the aforementioned oval-shaped dark carpal patches. The dark secondaries, extensively black primaries and yellow cere all help to age it as a juvenile. Whilst the hint of a dark breast band might be considered slightly unusual for a Honey Buzzard here is an individual rather similar in appearance photographed in Sagres, Portugal:
 
Juvenile Honey Buzzard at Sagres, Portugal