Steppe Buzzard at Flix, Tarragona in April 2005. First confirmed record for Spain

Photos by Pere Josep Jiménez

Introduction 

On 10.4.2005 an odd-looking Buzzard was seen lingering around the Sebes Nature Reserve, Flix, Tarragona where it was seen catching a weasel (Mustela nivalis) but showing poor flight conditions. With the possibility of being injured in mind, the bird was trapped by the Reserve's team and brought to the Vallcalent recovery center, Lleida. After some examination it was found to have received a shot in one wing. It was taken into care and by early may is totally recovered. It turned up to be an adult Steppe Buzzard Buteo buteo vulpinus.

Characteristics of the bird are the rufous underparts, structure, pattern of underwing trailing edge and rest of underparts, black iris, pattern of tail and overall upperparts tone.

This species has to be a regular migrant across Spain but lacking of suitable descriptions and risk of confusion with Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus  probably obscures the pattern of occurrence of the species in the peninsula.

The observers were Pere Josep Jiménez, Ramon Belart, Iván Jurado.

Photographs

All photos by © Pere Josep Jiménez / Grup de Natura Freixe

Acknowledgements

Raül Aymí kindly sent the photos to this website and we specially thank Andrea Corso for commenting the three images and the identification of the bird.

Buy the latest book on the birds of Catalonia from www.weboryx.com (30,00 EUROS) Els Ocells de la Plana de Lleida [Birds of the Lleida Plains] A basic reference for the steppes, marshes, woodlands and plains around Lleida city and area, just N of the place where the Buzzard has been seen and where it has been brought for recovery. Text in Catalan with English summaries. For more information visit Egrell webpage  supports the www.rarebirdspain.net website helping us with the dominium and web mainteinance. Mail to oryx@weboryx.com

Steppe Buzzard at Flix, Tarragona in April 2005. First confirmed record for Spain

Summary:
Introduction
Photographs
Acknowledgements