ML96084271

Age and sex

Adult, Unknown sex - X

Observation details

At 1241 I spotted a Buteo distant and high E or ENE of me, circling over the hills N of the stream, apparently on a thermal (while I was between the rocky draw and the diversion). Relatively pointy wings; agile; not big enough or heavy enough for a GOEA but with underwing color pattern like TUVU or GOEA with dark underwing coverts and lighter (grayer?) flight feathers. Not much if any dihedral. Shape, flight style, and color immediately stood out to me as something different. Thought I maybe glimpsed some white on the tail above as it turned. After circling for a few minutes and getting even higher, it glided N a short distance and began circling again near another Buteo, both so high and distant that I lost sight of them there (NE of me). Last seen at 1244. I was able to get some photos before it disappeared; they show a distinct, broad transverse white band running through the tail ventrally (and also dorsally?), pointing solidly towards BWHA. This plus the dark trailing edge of the wing point to an adult. From this sighting it seems likely that this bird was in active migration.

Technical information

Model

COOLPIX P900

ISO

100

Focal length

250 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire, auto

f-stop

f/6.3

Shutter speed

1/500 sec

Dimensions

1757 pixels x 1307 pixels

Original file size

197.2 KB