• Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

Nature Talks and Walks

Guided Nature Tours

  • Home
  • About
    • Who Delivers the Events?
    • Where are our Events Held?
    • Featured On
      • Nature Writing
      • Wildlife Presenting
  • Schools
    • Nursery Fun and Games
    • Primary School Education
      • Key Stage 1
      • Lower Key Stage 2
      • Upper Key Stage 2
    • Out of School Groups
    • Related School Services
  • Organisations
    • Adult Education
    • Comunity Groups
    • Holiday Activities
    • Museums and Information Centres
    • Retirement Homes
    • Scouts and Guides
    • Wildlife Charities and Societies
    • Garden Centres
    • Walking Groups
  • Services
    • Wildlife Walks
    • Nature Presentations
    • Educational Workshops
    • Wildlife Holiday Tours
    • Training Days
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Get in touch

Why do Buzzards circle?

By Russ 3 Comments

Buzzards are now a common sight across much of the UK. Keep an eye out for them resting on fence posts.Is it a bird? Is it a plane? It’s an Eagle! Well, not quite. Although it’s easy to think that the enormous bird circling high in the sky must be some type of eagle, it is much more likely to be a buzzard. This large, majestic birds can often been seen during country walks flying high in the sky, circling round and round. So just why do they circling so high?

Buzzards are now a common sight across much of the UK but that has not always been the case. There was once a time when they were persecuted and poisoned by us and it put them in serious danger of local extinction. But protection has since seen this species boom in number. The reason they were targeted was because they are predators and top predators at that. Large, strong talons and a sharp beak make light work of rabbits, small rodents and even frogs!

Rabbits would be wise not to stray too far from the burrow when a buzzard is around.To catch their prey, the buzzard must launch a surprise attack. If their prey spots them too early, they will quickly escape into thick undergrowth or down a burrow. To ‘hide’ from their prey, buzzards fly high up into the sky. They will often be seen circling because they are using thermals of rising air that slowly spiral upwards.

The bird can spot moving prey from up to 1 mile away,  that good is its vision. Something like a rabbit would be very unwise to venture too far from its warren.

Don’t forget…

Leave a question or comment below about the last time you saw a buzzard and you could be featured in our future blogs! You can send any queries to:

[email protected]

Also remember to subscribe to our blog at the top right of the screen for updates on events,  your pictures, wild files and much more.

Take care and remember, stay on the wild side. 

60

SHARES
facebook Share on Facebook
Twitter Tweet
Follow Follow us
custom Share
custom Share
custom Share
custom Share
custom Share

Filed Under: British Amphibians, British Birds, Urban Nature Tagged With: are buzzards rare?, buzzard, do buzzards eat frogs?, do buzzards eat rabbits?, thermals, what do buzzards eat?, why do buzzards circle?

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. paula says

    August 26, 2016 at 11:11 am

    Hi

    We have often seen 3 buzzards circling near us (great shelford). We have seen them this morning at 11am – circling and calling in the clear blue sky. They look amazing. Are there many around this area?
    thanks
    Paula & david

    Reply
    • Russ says

      October 11, 2016 at 8:12 am

      Hi Paula and David,
      It is wonderful to see a buzzard circling. These days buzzards are a common sight up and down the country. Once they were heavily persecuted by man, but now under our protection their populations have recovered nicely.

      Many thanks for getting in touch,

      Russ

      Reply
  2. Pam says

    January 25, 2020 at 5:20 pm

    I was watching a bird which, Looked like a buzzard circling high above a supermarket car park in the middle of St. Helens town. I was surprised because normally I have seen them around the village I live in which is surrounded by farmland and woods .

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Footer

How Can We Help You?

Find out more about our services and how we can help you.

Get in Touch

Please follow and like our social media!

Facebook
Facebook
Twitter
Visit Us
Follow Me
YouTube
YouTube
LinkedIn
LinkedIn
Share
Instagram

Copyright © 2021 · Nature Talks & Walks. All rights reserved.

Guided Nature Tours in Greater Manchester, Merseyside & Lancashire Website Built & Supported By: WebCentric360.com