Garden Wildlife UK

A crow cawing from aloft drew my attention this morning - looked up and one was seeing off a buzzard, quite low.
It kept hitting the buzzard which rolled over right to left many times as it flew away as slowly as it could whilst trying to appear as though it meant to do this .
Very entertaining, haven't seen that before.

Wow, Placi

Corvids amd BOPs do not get on. I have witnessed them harassing Buzzards on quite a few occasions. They are very persistent and the BOP usually departs stage left.

One thing I have noticed in this hot weather on my travels. No buzzards riding what must be great thermals. In fact there seems to be a lack of any birds of prey. Unusual not to see any.

, Willpar. Hadn't noticed that but you're quite correct. Haven't seen buzzards for quite a while now and they're quite common around here.
Strange .......

I have a theory on the missing Buzzard riddle. Their main food is small rodents up to the size of a Rabbit. One thing I know about Rabbits is that they dislike hot weather and I suspect other small mammals are similarly minded. If your prey is keeping in the cool except for dusk and dawn there is little point trying to hunt at any other time. It works for me but other guesses will be entertained

Thank you, Jacksparrow - I concur with your guess but would like to add that all this began with the introduction by Specexpress of the little-known Ban On Buzzards. This 'buteoist' move was slipped through Parliament last Friday while everyone was at Chequers.
The result is that buzzards (none of whom are getting any younger) cannot spot the small rodents due to failing eyesight exacerbated by the glare from the everlasting .
Said and :bunny:are thriving.
Another example of unintended consequences .

You made me laugh so much Placido

Perhaps I spoke to soon. Low and behold, what flew out of a tree today on my walk, a buzzard. First one in a while though.

We are indebted to Placido for this elucidation. I shall be forwarding it to the Autumn Watch production team in the hope they will do a follow-up mini documentary to illustrate the point.