Buzzards

When we lived on Ardnamurchan spotting buzzards was part of everyday life. We used to smile when visitors said they had seen six eagles on their way down the peninsula - we were certain they were buzzards which, when seen at a height from below, can be difficult to tell from golden eagles.

We were then surprised when we moved to East Anglia to see far more buzzards in the air than we'd seen over Kilchoan. I recall one afternoon's walk when we saw seven buzzards wheeling over us.

Throughout our time in Golspie sightings of buzzards have been disappointing. I recall one day when we saw three together from the path beyond Dunrobin Castle, and we've seen four together towards Farlary, but these days we become quite excited if we see one - like this one which was calling high above us yesterday.

As with all such things, not keeping a careful record means I can't be certain but I feel that we are seeing fewer each year, and that's both sad and worrying.