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!
Not seen anything on the nest not even the duck..:-)
Capturing the Light with an original perspective displayed in every Photograph..perhaps
Can someone on duty tweet us when there's action maybe? :-)
Tweet Tweet Dom..:-)
Er, nope... you pulling my leg sir?
:-))
There's a female Mallard on the nest this morning. The buzzards won't be too pleased about that!
Yes the Duck is back. Think she has taken over the nest.
Here's tae us
She must be ferocious to have chased off a pair of buzzards! Quack, quack.
08:12 - Hurrah! Something raptor-like on the nest! Light is so bad I can't see what it is however.
08:14 - Hmm, bit small for a buzzard - maybe it's a duck after all.