More buzzards...
Monday, working with my brother-in-law in his dad's garden, we heard a soft call (contact call?). The caller was obvious, slope soaring halfway up the ridge. Then we spotted the second bird, over the top of the ridge. B-i-l had never seen buzzards there before, though when he lived there buzzards were very rare in England. It's the first time I've heard these calls, and I've no idea what they signify.
Tuesday, while labouring in a disused railway cutting, I heard similar soft calls. Only one buzzard was visible, but the view was limited by trees.
Today, removing surplus sedge & silt (and copious amounts of hydrogen sulphide with delicate organic overtones) from a nearby pond, we heard the clear, penetrating sound of a buzzard who was confident he was in charge of his patch. Again, the (presumed) caller was visible, but trees limited the view.
What's going on? The "territorial" call (should that be "song"?) would fit with autumn establishment of territories, with older birds competing with young males - do buzzards do that? But what are the soft calls be about?