What type of bird was that!?!

[AlwaysConfused]

I was walking home from work today, taking a short cut through the lakes,when I saw a massive bird perched in a tree. Now, I'm not normally a wildlife fanatic, but I was drawn by it's size. It looked bit pidgeon-like from the back, but it was huge! I nudged my husband, and we snuck towards it to catch a glimpse. It stayed put for about a minute, perhaps even a little longer, seemingly focused on something, then literally soared into the skies, wing span huge,and no exaggeration, but did not notice the tail. The bird stayed high and paraded in a circular motion. The bird was still in sight when a group of magpies (I counted five, I always count magpies!) came squawking past, and joined together in a tree. Many other birds came over and found solace in a tree. Most of the birds didn't hide themselves very well, but sat still and quiet. The bird stayed in sight, although quite high up for a further 30 seconds or so before flying off. I don't expect you all to be mind readers, but any idea what kind of bird this may be?

[snags]

How big is 'huge'?

[craft1948]

fluff?

[mccfluff]

oiiiiii

seriously i can't fly.... :-)

[EcclesCake]

Might it have been a heron with it's neck curled in?

[craft1948]

Heron..................do pigeons have long legs?

[tonyav]

Did it have long legs ?.

[AlwaysConfused]

I've often seen herons around here, didn't look like a heron! The wing span must have been near on three metres.

[AlwaysConfused]

and no, didn't see any legs

[snags]

three metres eh... was this it?

http://images3.wikia....f/f8/Big-bird-NEW.jpg

[Euphemia]

Where are you geographically?

[tenrec]

Could have been a buzzard.

[AlwaysConfused]

snags - that is EXACTLY it! lol, thats made me smile. I'm in Hampshire, Euphemia

[dotty.]

it would have been a heron

[dotty.]

or a wood pigeon of course

[ladybirder]

It's a Buzzard unless you can prove otherwise. That's the rule of thumb.

[AlwaysConfused]

I tried to take a photo, but I was a little late, I think. I will try and put photo on.

[boxtops]

what colour bird, what colour wings? any stripes?

[vulcan]

[ladybirder]

http://www.rspb.org.u.../b/buzzard/index.aspx

[FredPuli43]

Impressive size? In Hampshire? Other birds may have been responding to its presence? Did it make any noise? Buzzards often make a mewing sound like a cat. It seems most likely that it was a buzzard. Once rare outside remote, wild, countryside like the Welsh marches, but now it's the commonest bird of prey here, and found almost everywhere. But it's still a surprise when you see one for the first time.