I arrived at around 1030 today but have decided on a slightly different strategy. The camera is set up from the caravan instead of the pit, I am thinking that I will get a different perspective of their movements, their comings and goings. From the pit you are only aware of their presence for certain when they are actually feeding, I want to know how long they sit around "surveying" the scene before they come down to the food. When I arrived, one of the birds, I think it was the lighter one of the pair, for ever more referred to as "Blondie", was around the drive entrance. I expected the other to be up here by the caravan and I was correct. He will be called "Murphy" from now on. I don't really like to anthropomorphise but it is a way to separate individuals and better than "A" and "B" It seems that this area is perfect place for them, quiet, tucked away and of course a free food source! What more could a buzzard want? From the van I can see the logs, loaded with a fresh rabbit and the trees behind that a Buzzard so often flies from when I arrive I am expecting, eventually when they come back, for one of the birds to make for those trees again and then I will time how long it takes for them to come down and feed..... if at all of course. In the meantime, because it could take 3 hours again, I have got food out for the Nuthatches and tits which is already attracting some birds and of course I have regularly had a visit from a fox and yesterday evening just before I came home, a dog fox was in the field. It is a mystery as to why the foxes are more active during the day than I have previously seen. Does anyone have a theory as to why that is? Which bird of the 2 is the male, I have my theory and also a plan to find out. Buzzards seem to be messy and I have often seen them squirting their projectile droppings copiously. When I see this again and I am certain as to which individual is responsible, I plan to take a sample and have it analysed, a great plan but I am not certain that sex can be determined in this manner. I am currently making enquiries from a reputable lab who can 99.9% certain give the sex from blood or feather samples.
It's 1339 now, it was at this time yesterday that the Buzzard put in an appearance. We have had rain and now sunshine, if I do get a buzzard today and I can't see why not, it will be a good encounter from here inside the caravan. Lots of crows in the nearby fileds but not once in 10 weeks have I seen crows or for that matter magpies, on the rabbits, this is a mystery to me, suggestions anyone?
Back at home now and time to reflect on the happenings today. At 1459, just minutes after I had heard a Buzzard, one glided down to the log and the rabbit carcass. I was sat watching and waiting from the forward window in what used to be the bathroom. I immediately got up and in the second or two it had taken to get to the camera protruding from the other window, it had gone!!!! A mystery then I realised why, Dick my friend who lives in the house nearby appeared with a strimmer! Not seeing my car...... I had been dropped off by Jenny at 1030.... he assumed I wasn't there and had come to cut the grass back from the gate and path. Really nice of him. As you know, I have nicknamed the darker Buzzard Murphy because a few times Murphy's law has been invoked involving this bird and so it was today. I'm not too disappointing because it just further reinforced the establishment of a feeding station and I am sure that I will have lots more opportunities.
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