Malt 379 Posted June 4, 2011 Report Share Posted June 4, 2011 Thought I'd ask this one in here, if I may? Saw a BOP hovering yesterday, but it was a good way away from the car and I couldn't quite make it out. It was a large bird, if I had to put money on it I would have said Buzzard, but never saw one hovering before. Can they hover? Quote Link to post
socks 32,253 Posted June 4, 2011 Report Share Posted June 4, 2011 as far as i am aware the only british BOP that can hover is a kestrel Quote Link to post
watchman 256 Posted June 4, 2011 Report Share Posted June 4, 2011 Thought I'd ask this one in here, if I may? Saw a BOP hovering yesterday, but it was a good way away from the car and I couldn't quite make it out. It was a large bird, if I had to put money on it I would have said Buzzard, but never saw one hovering before. Can they hover? never seen them hovering myself but apparently its not un-common, Quote Link to post
Malt 379 Posted June 4, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 4, 2011 as far as i am aware the only british BOP that can hover is a kestrel That's what I thought Socks, but this thing was far too big to be a kestrel. I done a quick google search before I posted on here and the only other native one came up was a buzzard. Just thought I'd ask the falconers on here. never seen them hovering myself but apparently its not un-common, Cheers pal, I'd never seen it before either. Quote Link to post
watchman 256 Posted June 4, 2011 Report Share Posted June 4, 2011 as far as i am aware the only british BOP that can hover is a kestrel seen many barn owls hovering on motorway embankments during the night,they do it for short periods then move along the bank and do it again seen it plenty times also squeeked one in whilst out lamping with the dog one night hovered in front of me within a couple meters away in the lamp beam great to watch Quote Link to post
johnny boy68 11,726 Posted June 4, 2011 Report Share Posted June 4, 2011 Thought I'd ask this one in here, if I may? Saw a BOP hovering yesterday, but it was a good way away from the car and I couldn't quite make it out. It was a large bird, if I had to put money on it I would have said Buzzard, but never saw one hovering before. Can they hover? Where I live Mal its a common sight but only in the one part of the valley,I was informed by this bloke who flys micro-lites thats it to do with the cross thermals. Quote Link to post
Lab 10,979 Posted June 4, 2011 Report Share Posted June 4, 2011 Thought I'd ask this one in here, if I may? Saw a BOP hovering yesterday, but it was a good way away from the car and I couldn't quite make it out. It was a large bird, if I had to put money on it I would have said Buzzard, but never saw one hovering before. Can they hover? Where I live Mal its a common sight but only in the one part of the valley,I was informed by this bloke who flys micro-lites thats it to do with the cross thermals. Spot on...................seen them do it a few times, catching the wind to keep in the one area..... Quote Link to post
Malt 379 Posted June 4, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 4, 2011 I've seen that too guys, but this one was flapping it's wings like a kestrel. Not doing as good a job as a kestrel, but the same principal. Quote Link to post
Lab 10,979 Posted June 4, 2011 Report Share Posted June 4, 2011 I've seen that too guys, but this one was flapping it's wings like a kestrel. Not doing as good a job as a kestrel, but the same principal. Am with you mate......i dont mean gliding around. Seen them hover but obviously there wing beat is alot slower than the kestrel so it looks a little strange.... Quote Link to post
Malt 379 Posted June 4, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 4, 2011 I've seen that too guys, but this one was flapping it's wings like a kestrel. Not doing as good a job as a kestrel, but the same principal. Am with you mate......i dont mean gliding around. Seen them hover but obviously there wing beat is alot slower than the kestrel so it looks a little strange.... Quote Link to post
jasper65 6 Posted June 4, 2011 Report Share Posted June 4, 2011 think they can all hover for short periods when conditions suit them, then again as mentioned nothing hovers like a Kessy which is designed for the purpose! they have a long tail compared to most falcons and light wing loading which must help Quote Link to post
Millet 4,497 Posted June 4, 2011 Report Share Posted June 4, 2011 Could it of been Red Kite? apparently they can hover for short periods . Quote Link to post
stoaty 171 Posted June 4, 2011 Report Share Posted June 4, 2011 As Johnny says its a reg thing around here too they tend to turn into the wind and hold their position perfectly don't know if its a learnt thing or wether most can do it?? Stoaty Quote Link to post
Malt 379 Posted June 4, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 4, 2011 think they can all hover for short periods when conditions suit them, then again as mentioned nothing hovers like a Kessy which is designed for the purpose! they have a long tail compared to most falcons and light wing loading which must help Aye it wasn't hovering for long, right enough. Could it of been Red Kite? apparently they can hover for short periods . I have seen the odd red kite in the same area, but this one deffo didn't have the forked tail, it's the first thing I looked at. I was 99% sure it was a buzzard, it's just I've never seen one hover like that before. Quote Link to post
banjo14 49 Posted June 4, 2011 Report Share Posted June 4, 2011 most birds can hover for a short period of time as long as they are flying at the same speed as the wind they are flying into. Quote Link to post
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