Buzzards in Torridon

We have a good strong population of buzzards in Torridon they can be seen from Annat to Diabaig and are the most numerous bird of prey. We have a pair in Fasaig and they quarter the land from the cliffs of Liathach and over the croft land. Their `mewing` calls show their presence as they move over the land or soar on warm air thermals. We often see them travelling over Inveralligin

coming above the woodlands and down to trees by the Alligin river.

Yesterday (02 10 2023) we were working down at our Alligin `veggie plot` it was a cool blue -sky day and the autumn colours of the birch trees and green of conifers here and there

were striking and bright against the blue sky. The day before we had a very wet windy day an as so often there was a contrasting change with sun, blue sky and clear air which made working at the plot enjoyable and rewarding.

Suddenly a pair of buzzards came up against the blue sky calling and with slow wing beats moved in expanding circles above us. One bird the larger Female came in to land on the very tip of a conifer at the back of a couple of the Alligin houses. The brown \ gold colour of the upside of the wings, stood out, the light underside of the wings were a striking colour cream white flecked with darker browns. The smaller male bird travelled over us and down toward Culdarroch.

We often see buzzards on top of telegraph poles with intent postures looking and listening for prey in the the vegetation below them. They are an essential wild element of Torridon .