As visitors to Arne will know, we have several cameras set up around the reserve looking at lots of different nests. Last year we had the excitement and drama of the barn owl and kestrel boxes and we are hoping for more of the same this year but we have an exciting new addition! This year we have a camera on a nest of my favourite bird of prey, the buzzard! The pair ofbuzzards first turned up a few weeks ago and since then they have been really busy getting the nest ready for laying in the next few weeks. Both birds have been in with fresh pine branches and it really does look like a desirable residence for any discerning buzzard! The pictures come complete with sound and we have heard the pair mating just off of camera (think they must have been a bit shy!).
The most exciting thing is that we have all of this streaming live to our website! So settle down in the comfort of your own home, office, or internet cafe and watch the first buzzards nest to be filmed inDorset right from the start!
The birds are appearing daily but they will be more regular when the female lays her eggs. Buzzards usually lay their eggs in mid April but because of the good weather it could be a bit earlier so you will have to watch to find out! http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/a/arne/webcam.aspx
If you would like to keep us updated with what you are watching then join in with this discussion. This worked brilliantly with the kestrels and barn owls last year so let’s see if we can get it going for the buzzards this spring! I am really excited about what will be happening in the next few weeks!
Yes, nice it's back working and to hear Chiff Chaff and Wren singing away in the background, sadly no Buzzards though.
Anyone seen any sign of anything on the nest recently? Am constantly seeing Buzzards flying around all over the place and especially around the Arne area but never on the nest yet!
It's been really quiet recently... I didn't see any activity all day today, in fact I haven't seen any for quite a while... Hopefully they will be back soon!
Is the action on Kestrelcam or Barnowlcam any more reliable folks? Could we switch to that and switch back to this when it hots up a bit?
We were at Arne this morning and saw a duck in the buzzard nest (seriously, as witnessed by one of the wardens!) It did tickle us!
With in the next few days is the time that buzzards generally lay so we are hoping to see a buzzard family from the very start. We will be staying with the buzzard cam so we can hopefully get the full story when it happens. Be patient and we will keep you posted with any action!
Yes we did indeed have a female mallard on the nest for half an hour this morning which was pretty strange. It seemed to get comfortable but then got a bit aggitated before leaving! Sensible move I think!
Yawn!
I saw the Mallard yesterday, but yet to see the Buzzard.
Here's tae us
I've also scored a duck thus far. :-)