Wiltshire's luckiest Buzzard
Bird of prey left seeing stars after getting wedged in a van's roof rack
Last updated 4th Dec 2020
It's an incredible story of survival and recovery.
This unfortunate Buzzard was clipped by a builders van that was carrying ladders attached to its roof on the A354 at Coombe Bissett near Salisbury.
The driver, oblivious about what had happened, continued driving and had no idea the low flying bird of prey had swooped into his vehicle.
Meanwhile, on the outside of the van which was motoring along the A354, the Buzzard was still alive, but firmly jammed between the ladders and the van's roof.
There it stayed for the remainder of the trip into Salisbury.
The horrified builders called Wiltshire Wildlife Hospital straight away after realising what had happened, and managed to unwedge the Buzzard from the ladders.
VERY LUCKY BUZZARD
The Buzzard had no fractures but was severely concussed, and staff at the Wildlife Hospital weren't sure it'd survive the ordeal. Miraculously though. it was standing the next day, and even though he's not feeding himself yet, it's hoped in time he'll improve.
FACTS ABOUT BUZZARDS
According to the RSPB:
- The Buzzard is the commonest and most widespread UK bird of prey
- The buzzard is quite large with broad, rounded wings, and a short neck and tail
- When gliding and soaring a Buzzard will often hold its wings in a shallow 'V' and the tail is fanned
- When gliding and soaring a Buzzard will often hold its wings in a shallow 'V' and the tail is fanned
- Buzzards are variable in colour from all dark brown to much paler variations
- All Buzzards have dark wingtips and a finely barred tail
- The plaintive mewing call of a Buzzard can often be mistaken for a cat
BUZZARD SIZES
The Buzzard is a very impressive looking bird:
Length: 51-57cm
Wingspan: 113-128cm
Weight: 550-1,000g (male); 700-1,300g (female)
Population: UK breeding - 57,000-79,000 pairs