Common Buzzard

Buzzards actually aren't particularly common in Orkney, we have far more breeding hen harriers. The name,, I read, is of Norman origin and is rather disparaging because the bird was of no use for falconry, and describing someone as 'an old buzzard' is still not a compliment! An older, preNorman  name is 'gled' and there are various place names around Britain which include the element. This one has been around Muddisdale on the edge of Kirkwall for a few days. It was on a fence as I cycled along a path and didn't seem to notice me stop and photograph it. I think it may be a young bird and not as wary as an adult..'