What type of bird was that!?!

[AlwaysConfused]

posted this but was supposed to put on animals and nature, I'll try again!

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'?

[Baldric]

Buzzard, maybe

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

[tenrec]

I just said buzzard on other thread!

[EcclesCake]

But it apparently had a 3 metre wingspan......not a buzzard then....

[tonyav]

Golden Eagle !

[Psybbo]

Kite?

[hc4361]

Sparrow hawk?

[AlwaysConfused]

I asked my husband what wing span the bird had, he said about three metres. Blokes usually overestimate size, but I'd say he's not far off on that calculation. it's hard to say when so high up! Again, have seen kites around here, the last time there were two together. I'm stumped on this one!

[chaptazbru]

I'm with tenrec, possibly a buzzard.

[ladybirder]

Birdwatchers rule of thumb is: it's a Buzzard unless you can prove otherwise.

[sue11]

From your description of it's movements, it sounds like it could be a buzzard. They tend to rise up on air thermals, circling as they ascend. Once they get to the height they need, they then just glide off, they do not seem to like wasting energy flapping!
We get a few where I live, they are beautiful, I was watching about 6 of them a few months back on a lovely blue summers day, riding the thermals.
They tend to get attacked by crows and other carrion eating birds, I guess the competition for food is quite fierce.

[Prudie]

3M? That's over 9 feet! The largest wingspan of any bird in the world is about 3 metres and that's a Wandering Albatross and I doubt it was that. Where do you live? I'd agree with the others on buzzard first choice but it could have been an eagle if you live in the wilds of scotland??

[rowanwitch]

buzzards always seem so much bigger...... they are heavier than kites with broader wings so look more imposing

[EcclesCake]

Depending on what part of Hants AlwaysConfused lives in it could have been an errant bird of prey from a display at the Hawk Conservancy.

[beanebabe]

If you are talking about the lakes in Stevenage there is an Eagle Owl has escaped from an aviary. I have heard some very strange squawking at night and there was a story in the paper about it killing some rabbits in a garden.

[Tilly2]

I answered this yesterday but my answer is not here. What's happening? Have you posted this again?

[Psybbo]

Have you seen the pics of the golden eagle that has escaped?