Rough-legged Buzzard, Buteo lagopus

Local status: Very rare passage migrant and winter visitor

This species is a rare winter visitor and passage migrant to Yorkshire but fluctuates in numbers due to the availability of food in the breeding areas. In some years, large influxes occur although these do not seem to have been reflected in the pattern of records in the York area, although the 2014 record was connected to a notable arrival on the Yorkshire coast over previous weeks. The majority of the records appear to be of wandering individuals, or of birds passing through on migration, with only the 1980 Stillingfleet, 1995 Lower Derwent Valley and 2014 Milford Common individuals residing for any period of time. With the huge
increase in Common Buzzards, B. buteo, in recent years, it is possible that Rough-legged Buzzards may be overlooked in our area, but conversely, that some reported Rough-legs may have been misidentified

Records:
2022: Bank Island, 2nd December relocated near Murton 30 minutes later. Subject to acceptance by the YNU.
2022: Kirby Misperton,2nd November. (one) Subject to acceptance by the YNU.
2015: Thorpe Willoughby, 23rd March.
2015: North Duffield, 14th January. Juvenile flew east.
2014: Milford Common, 18th to 29th October.
(10) Andrew Walker on X: “@YorkBirding Rough-legged Buzzard at Milford Common yesterday #recordshot #localmega #yorkbirds no sign today http://t.co/yhaLqBAX1X” / X

Rough-legged Buzzard Milford Common October 2014 © Paul Doherty
Rough-legged Buzzard Milford Common October 2014 © Paul Doherty

2008: Buttercrambe Woods, 4th January.
1985: Lower Derwent Valley, 2nd November.
1980: Stillingfleet, 4th to 18th January.
1977: Strensall Common, 2nd October. Two.
1974: Lower Derwent Valley, 10th to 22nd November.
1973: No location published, 28th September.

Unsubstantiated records:
2010: Stockton-on-the-Forest, 2nd October. No description submitted.
2010: Copmanthorpe, 21st February. (Birdguides).
2008: Thorganby, 1st December. (Birdguides).
2000: Bank Island, 9th January. No description submitted.
1995: Lower Derwent Valley, 7th and 20th December.
1995: Lower Derwent Valley, 22nd January.
1984: Riccall, 13th December.
1984: Low Catton, 31st January