Canonical URL: https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/common-buzzard/ Species photography guide # Common Buzzard Photography Holidays *Buteo buteo* Explore our Common Buzzard photography holidays in [Poland](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/europe/poland/), [Hungary](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/europe/hungary/) & [Spain](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/europe/spain/), built around field time with this species during the best seasonal conditions.Our small-group photography holidays prioritise time in the field, light, behaviour, positioning & repeatable photographic opportunities rather than rushed wildlife viewing. [View trips](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/common-buzzard/#nl-species-trips)[Where](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/common-buzzard/#nl-species-where)[Field notes](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/common-buzzard/#nl-species-field-notes)[Related species](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/common-buzzard/#nl-species-related) ![Common Buzzard photography holiday](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/A-lone-wolf-just-one-of-the-species-of-wildlife-of-Bialowieza-Forest-that-we-will-photograph-during-the-NaturesLens-wildlife-of-Bialowieza-Forest-Photography-Holiday-1024x683.jpg) ## At a glance Trips6 associated holidays Where[Hungary](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/europe/hungary/), [Poland](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/europe/poland/) & [Spain](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/europe/spain/) Led by[David Miles](https://natureslens.co.uk/about/david/), [Ian Roberts](https://natureslens.co.uk/about/ian/), [Pui Hang Miles](https://natureslens.co.uk/about/pui-hang/) & [Robin Lowry](https://natureslens.co.uk/about/robin/) Species profile ## About this species The Common Buzzard is a medium-to-large bird of prey found widely across Europe & Asia, with a broad, rounded wingspan typically spanning 109-136 cm. It displays highly variable plumage, ranging from pale cream to dark brown, often with a distinctive pale band across the chest. A versatile predator & scavenger, it feeds on small mammals, earthworms, & carrion, and is frequently seen perched on fence posts or soaring on thermals. **Habitat** Common Buzzards favour a mosaic of woodland & open country, including farmland, moorland edges, & river valleys. They are commonly found in areas with mature trees for nesting alongside open ground for hunting, and are widespread across the British countryside including upland & lowland regions. [Species background](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_buzzard) Where to photograph ## Where our trips feature this species You can photograph Common Buzzard with us in [Hungary](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/europe/hungary/), [Poland](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/europe/poland/) & [Spain](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/europe/spain/). These departures are part of our [Europe](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/europe/) programme. In the field, [David Miles](https://natureslens.co.uk/about/david/), [Ian Roberts](https://natureslens.co.uk/about/ian/), [Pui Hang Miles](https://natureslens.co.uk/about/pui-hang/) & [Robin Lowry](https://natureslens.co.uk/about/robin/) helps guests make the most of these encounters. Field notes ## Photography notes **Best time** Spring & early summer are ideal, when birds are active around nesting territories & displaying in flight. Early morning hours offer the best light & increased activity as birds begin hunting after roosting overnight. **Approach** Position yourself near open farmland or woodland edges where buzzards regularly perch on fence posts & telegraph poles, allowing close approach with a telephoto lens of 400-600mm. Shoot during overcast conditions to avoid harsh shadows on the bird's variable plumage & to achieve more even exposure. Practise panning techniques when birds are soaring on thermals, using continuous autofocus & a fast shutter speed of at least 1/1000s to freeze wing movement. Connected wildlife ## Often seen on the same trips On the trips associated with this species, photographers may also encounter: [Red Fox](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/red-fox/)[White-tailed Eagle](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/white-tailed-eagle/)[Azure-winged Magpie](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/azure-winged-magpie/)[Black Kite](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/black-kite/)[Booted Eagle](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/booted-eagle/)[Eurasian Otter](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/eurasian-otter/)[Golden Eagle](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/golden-eagle/)[Great Bittern](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/great-bittern/)[Great Cormorant](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/great-cormorant/)[Great Egret](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/great-egret/) Available holidays ## Trips featuring Common Buzzard The holidays below are pulled from the same species relationship, so the guide stays tied to live departures rather than becoming a static article. #### Guide connection David Miles leads trips where guests have the chance to photograph Common Buzzard in the field. [Meet David](https://natureslens.co.uk/about/david/) ![Wildlife of Białowieża Forest](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/A-lone-wolf-just-one-of-the-species-of-wildlife-of-Bialowieza-Forest-that-we-will-photograph-during-the-NaturesLens-wildlife-of-Bialowieza-Forest-Photography-Holiday-1024x683.jpg) #### Related holiday Wildlife of Białowieża Forest gives guests time in Hungary, Poland & Spain where Common Buzzard can be part of the day's wildlife encounters. [View trip](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/poland/wildlife-of-bialowieza/) Route Destination Signature Destination The photography holidays listed below operate in regions & habitats where the Common Buzzard is regularly encountered. As with all wildlife photography, sightings can never be guaranteed, but our itineraries are designed around seasonal behaviour, suitable habitat, & photographic opportunity, giving you the best possible chance of meaningful encounters in the field. Our small-group approach allows time in the field to adapt to conditions, behaviour, & photographic opportunities as they unfold. You can photograph the Common Buzzard in Hungary, Poland, & Spain. During our photography holidays, the Common Buzzard is often photographed alongside Red Fox, White-tailed Eagle, Azure-winged Magpie, Black Kite, Booted Eagle, & Eurasian Otter. Seasonal presence & photographic opportunity vary by location & time of year. Photography themes commonly associated with this species include animals in snow, majestic golden eagles, spanish birds from specialist hides, bence mátés photography hides, & photography hides designed by bence máté. Single occupancy Group Size: 4-7 guests Experienced guidance 6 departures - [![Join Us For The Wildlife of Białowieża Forest Photography Holiday](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/A-lone-wolf-just-one-of-the-species-of-wildlife-of-Bialowieza-Forest-that-we-will-photograph-during-the-NaturesLens-wildlife-of-Bialowieza-Forest-Photography-Holiday-1024x683.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/poland/wildlife-of-bialowieza/) Last Place ### 10th - 17th Jan 2027 - Wildlife of Białowieża Forest **Location:** Poland Join us in Poland for a wildlife photography holiday, during January 2027, focused on Wolves, Bison & winter mammals in snow-dusted forest. **7 nights** w. **Single occupancy** for **Was: £3249 Now: £2999** Guided By **David Miles** [View Wildlife of Białowieża Forest](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/poland/wildlife-of-bialowieza/) - [![Join Us For The Eagles of the Hortobágy Photography Holiday](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/one-of-the-white-tailed-eagles-the-largest-bird-species-found-amongst-the-wildlife-of-the-hortobagy-national-park-in-hungary-1024x683.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/hungary/eagles-of-the-hortobagy/) ### 24th - 29th Jan 2027 - Eagles of the Hortobágy **Location:** Hungary Capture images with us whilst on a wildlife photography holiday in Hungary, during January 2027, focused on Eagle photography with winter behaviour focus. **5 nights** w. **Single occupancy** for **£2499** Guided By **Robin Lowry** [View Eagles of the Hortobágy](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/hungary/eagles-of-the-hortobagy/) - [![Join Us For The Hungarian Winter Wildlife Photography Holiday](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/eagle-with-fish-at-bence-mates-photography-hides-during-the-hungarian-winter-1024x683.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/hungary/hungarian-winter-wildlife/) Full ### 20th - 27th Feb 2027 - Hungarian Winter Wildlife **Location:** Hungary Capture images with us on our wildlife photography holiday in Hungary, during February 2027, focused on Hungarian winter wildlife photographed from winter hides. **7 nights** w. **Single occupancy** - **Full** Guided By **Pui Hang Miles** [View Hungarian Winter Wildlife](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/hungary/hungarian-winter-wildlife/) - [![Join Us For The Birds of Extremadura Photography Holiday](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/A-Lesser-Kestrel-on-a-rooftop-photographed-on-the-estate-used-for-the-NaturesLens-Birds-of-Extremadura-photography-holiday-1024x768.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/spain/birds-of-extremadura-2027/) ### 4th - 11th Apr 2027 - Birds of Extremadura **Location:** Spain Travel to Extremadura during April 2027 for a small-group wildlife photography holiday led by Ian, with opportunities to photograph Eagles, Kestrels, Kites plus many more species. **7 nights** w. **Single occupancy** for **£3749** Guided By **Ian Roberts** [View Birds of Extremadura](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/spain/birds-of-extremadura-2027/) - [![Join Us For The Birds of Extremadura Photography Holiday](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/A-Lesser-Kestrel-on-a-rooftop-photographed-on-the-estate-used-for-the-NaturesLens-Birds-of-Extremadura-photography-holiday-1024x768.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/spain/birds-of-extremadura/) Limited Places ### 18th - 25th Apr 2027 - Birds of Extremadura **Location:** Spain Travel to Spain during April 2027 for a small-group wildlife photography holiday led by Ian, with opportunities to photograph Golden Eagle, Lesser Kestrel, Black Kite. **7 nights** w. **Single occupancy** for **£3749** Guided By **Ian Roberts** [View Birds of Extremadura](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/spain/birds-of-extremadura/) - [![Join Us For The Hungarian Winter Wildlife Photography Holiday](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/eagle-with-fish-at-bence-mates-photography-hides-during-the-hungarian-winter-1024x683.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/hungary/hungarian-winter-wildlife-2028/) Launch Price ### 5th - 12th Feb 2028 - Hungarian Winter Wildlife **Location:** Hungary Join David for a seven-night winter wildlife photography holiday at Bence Máté's farm in Pusztaszer. Photograph Hungarian wildlife from specialist hides, with carefully designed lighting, small groups of six & a varied winter itinerary. **7 nights** w. **Single occupancy** for **Was: £4749 Now: £4499** Guided By **David Miles** [View Hungarian Winter Wildlife](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/hungary/hungarian-winter-wildlife-2028/) -