Rough-legged Buzzard - 1894

Archibuteo lagopus

A rare visitor in the autumn.

This is one of the species that crosses over into the Eastern counties of England from the continent at irregular intervals, and very rarely penetrates to the south-west of the kingdom. When shot or trapped it might very well be confounded by people who were not well up in birds with the Common Buzzard, from which it is always to be easily separated by its feathered tarsi. Mr. Mathias has informed us that examples of the Rough-legged Buzzard have been obtained in the county, but is unable to supply dates and localities. The only one we ourselves knew of is one that was shot near St. Bride's, in October, 1889.

Mathew M.A. 1894, Birds of Pembrokeshire and it's Islands