Rough-legged Buzzard
Latin: Buteo lagopus (Pontoppidan 1763)
Svenska: Fjällvråk
Deutsch: Raufußbussard
Aerial reconnaissance
The rough-legged buzzard is a skillful flier. It can hold itself almost still in the air by flapping its wings. It scouts out voles and mice from its spot in the air, which it will gladly catch in its claws.
Rough-legged buzzards build their nests in Norrland, but a few spend the winter in Uppland each year. One of these buzzards spends its time in Kungsängen, south of Uppsala, every winter.
Several thousand rough-legged buzzards pass by Uppland in late September and early October. A few will stay, but most of them continue on to southern Sweden or Denmark. They return in April on their way up north.
Photo: David Lundgren ©
Latest sightings of rough-legged buzzards in Uppland
NatureGate on the rough-legged buzzard
Wikipedia article on the rough-legged buzzard