I started the leap day off right with a buzzard sighting at the Fort. One (large) buzzard flew overhead as I was walking the dogs this morning, pursued by 2 crows. Strangely all 3 birds were silent, and if I hadn’t been looking at the time, I probably would have missed them.
Normally the crows call out and harass a buzzard they are trying to drive away, so that it draws attention to what they perceive as the interloper.
The buzzard gracefully slipped through the upper branches of the trees to shake off it’s pursuers.
A few steps later, I also saw some fresh deer prints in the mud, another good sign.
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Am I assuming correctly that generally you don’t see much, in the way of wildlife, where you are? It is odd that the crows were silent. The crows around here are always making lots of noise when I see them.
We’ve been enjoying early signs of spring where we are, this year. The geese have been flying in to the area all of last week, so migration is well under way. We’ve also heard partridge calls several times in the past week, too. So it sounds like their on the hunt for mates already. Some very good signs for an early spring.
Hope you and your family have a great week, Alan!
Blessings,
David.
Hi David,
I think you have to know where to look, and certainly some things are much more common than they used to be. I keep my eyes open!
Twenty years ago you wouldn’t have seen a buzzard anywhere near here, now I reckon on seeing one at least once a week if not more often. I’m also fairly sure there was a breeding pair in the area last year, and only last week I saw breeding behaviour from a pair on the wing.
Birds of prey were once upon a time quite extensively persecuted in this country, particularly seen as a threat to game birds, and suffered from DDT poisoning. Although it still does happen, times have changed and they are now much easier to see.
Sorry that’s a very rambling answer, but hope it helps!
Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
All the best, Alan
Thank you, Alan! Yes, that explains it a little bit more for me. Just trying to get a sense for your surroundings. It is great to hear that some of these animals are making their way back into your area. Although birds of prey do have their impact on things, like game birds, they do have their purpose.
We have a pair of great horned owls making a home in the trees surround our dugouts. And even though we have concerns for our chickens, we do realize that the mouse population would be a lot greater on our homestead if the owls weren’t here. So, we know that they serve a purpose. And, rather than going out and driving off the owls, we take precautions to better protect or chickens. So, we have been able to live in harmony with the wildlife around us (thus far). Although we have had to trap the odd wandering rat that comes in too close to the property.