The Hidden Glasgow Forums

Getting back to the OP - are we sure it wasn't a Golden Eagle? It's the only large raptor I can think of with a yellow beak. I know it's a bit far south for their normal habitat, but the other birds with yellow beaks would be too small, going by the description.

My 'Boys Book of British Birds' (not at all what I was expecting ) reckons adult Peregrine Falcons have bright yellow feet and a mostly yellow beak and eye-ring.

Could that be what's been seen?


There's something quite large seems to spend a lot of time on the motorway lamp post just about outside the Mitchell Library. Dunno what it is.

A speed camera looking for prey?

Autolycus wrote:My 'Boys Book of British Birds' (not at all what I was expecting ) reckons adult Peregrine Falcons have bright yellow feet and a mostly yellow beak and eye-ring.

Could that be what's been seen?


There's something quite large seems to spend a lot of time on the motorway lamp post just about outside the Mitchell Library. Dunno what it is.

Its very difficult to say exactly because its only fleeting glimpses you get at 70mph on the M8. I again saw the bird on Friday last at the Ballieston Interchange and it has all the hallmarks of PPM's Buzzard. However I won't rule anything out. Golden Eagle.... I really don't think it would be, otherwise they'de need to shut the M8 to protect the thing.

I would have thought it is unlikely to be a peregrine as they are quite small, have much more streamlined, tapering wings, and in this country are usually (though not exclusively) found in remote, high areas - normally rocky cliff faces for example.

MacotheIsles wrote:Ah well... All these birds of prey once had their own particular place in the social pecking order in days of old when a man's standing was measured by the size of his raptor. Roughly speaking it was something like Sparrowhawks for the likes of cooks and footmen; Merlins for Barons; Buzzards for Dukes; Falcons for Princes; Kites for Kings and Eagles for Emperors. Something along those lines although species and rank may vary. I can only presume that Lord Garrowhill , 16th Duke of Showcase (noblesse oblige) has been exercising his ancient prerogative on the verge of the M8). Anyway I'm buggered if I can be bothered googling the actual species vs-social-rank as I've just sunk a half bottle of Lidl's finest Port, but you get the gist.

And a Kestrel for a Knave,the original title of Kes by Barry Hines.

floweredpig wrote:

And a Kestrel for a Knave,the original title of Kes by Barry Hines.

Didn't know that. Thanks. I first came across the linking of hunting birds to social rank in T H White's very excellent 'The Sword in the Stone'. After Googling Kestrel for a Knave I found the Book of St Albans which gives a bit more detail on the subject. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falconry#T ... _St_Albans

Hi there Ive just been reading your sighting of peregrine/buzzard. Ive been watching both birds in Glasgow and i am certain its a Buzzard as ive seen buzzards most times i pass the forte.There is a few buzzards opposite the forte on the other side of motorway,they have been there for about 3-4 years thats when i first starting seeing them.You will see 50 buzzards for every 1 peregrine thats how rear the peregrine is!! However there is a few Peregrines in Glasgow !! Ive seen 2 this year.One i seen chasing a pigeon at john street at the city chambers and the other in finnieston beside the sky park building! Other people have seen them at kelvingrove art galleries and on the finnieston crane.Please post if ypou happen to see a Peregrine cheers

I've been trawling through my "back catalogue" (ahem!) and found this. If it looks like this, then it's a buzzard!

Boxer6 wrote:I've been trawling through my "back catalogue" (ahem!) and found this. If it looks like this, then it's a buzzard!

Yeh thats what it looked like. Almost killed it on Sunday.....driving past Old Monkland Cemetery (A8) and it flew right out in front of me......stupid bird!!

They're quite slow and cumbersome birds, but i'd imagine they get into gear when they see some unassuming mammal!!

Took this photo a few minutes ago from my study window, looking towards the fields to the east of Cuilhill Road.



Not the best photo I know but what do you think? Bird of prey - buzzard perhaps?

It looks similar in size and body shape to the type I regularly see in the vicinity of the M8.

Buzzard. Did you hear it call? Did you see it fly?

rabmania wrote:Buzzard. Did you hear it call? Did you see it fly?

Nope, it didn't do anything but sit in that tree - it stayed there for at least 20-25 mins and then, when I looked later, it had gone.

It's not a buzzard; it's a bloody pterodactyl. Look how it's making the tree lean.

BrigitDoon wrote:It's not a buzzard; it's a bloody pterodactyl. Look how it's making the tree lean.