Mobbing

This series of shots was taken at lunchtime today. A buzzard is being mobbed by a small group of crows which are, no doubt, defending their fledglings. It's always slightly odd to see how smaller birds attack the raptors, particularly when the raptor is as large as a buzzard. But crows are aggressive in their own right and more than capable of looking after themselves, even against a much larger foe.

Most of the time it is more a game of chase than anything serious, but both species are prepared to tangle.
Buzzard

Buzzard being 'escorted' by two crows

Now four crows are seeing it off

The buzzard 'tumbles' in the air to show its talons

Close encounter

Crop of the above shot

The buzzard was persistent. It regards this area as its territory and these skirmishes continued irregularly over about half an hour before the buzzard gave up and flew into the distance.

One other creature for tonight, spotted on my way back. It's not often you get to see a crocodile in the middle of the Sussex Downs, but I did today 😉

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Camera note: all shots taken with the Canon 40D and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens.

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This Post Has 10 Comments

  1. debplatt

    23 Jul 2010

    Wow! I've never gotten to see a buzzard tumble to show off its talons.

    @Crocodile – 😆

  2. gdare

    23 Jul 2010

    I saw something similar few months ago. It was two crows and sparrow-hawk. Crows were so violent and aggresive that sparrow-hawk escaped very fast :left:

  3. SittingFox

    23 Jul 2010

    Eh, crows. They never seem to give it up!

    I know it's been a hot summer, but the migration of crocodiles into the British Isles was not something that I foresaw :whistle:

  4. Mickeyjoe-Irl

    23 Jul 2010

    😆 I think that may be the rare Chinese crocodile.

    You can tell by looking for a special marking on its belly. 😉

  5. Words

    26 Jul 2010

    Mick, LOL 😆 Spot on though 😉

  6. Words

    26 Jul 2010

    Darko, sparrowhawks like to surprise their prey… I guess they don;t like it when the tables are turned.

  7. Words

    26 Jul 2010

    Adele, lizards, crocodiles… the world is turning reptilian :alien:

  8. Words

    26 Jul 2010

    Erwin, thanks!

  9. Words

    26 Jul 2010

    Deb, buzzards have a great repertoire of moves, but that's one of my favourites.

  10. Wulpen

    19 Oct 2012

    Wow great Photos, lovely :up:

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