Modern Social History · The Borderlands
Buzzard Encounter: A Lucky Shot in the Wild Scottish Borders
While out filming, I was lucky enough to catch a buzzard soaring overhead — a brief but majestic encounter with one of the Borders’ top predators. Nature always rewards patience!
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While out filming, I was lucky enough to catch a buzzard soaring overhead — a brief but majestic encounter with one of the Borders’ top predators. Nature always rewards patience! Load the film below, then press play to watch it here in the archive.
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Privacy & cookiesWhile out filming I get a lucky shot of a buzzard
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While out filming another history documentary in the wilds of the Scottish Borders, I had one of those unexpected moments that remind you nature is always watching — even when you’re focused on castles, towers, and tales of old.
As I crested a ridge, camera in hand, a buzzard took to the air right in front of me. With just enough time to react, I captured a few precious seconds of it gliding overhead, scanning the heather below for prey.
Buzzards are among the most commonly seen birds of prey in Scotland, yet there’s nothing ordinary about seeing one up close — especially when you’re lucky enough to get it on film. Their distinctive call, broad wings, and effortless flight make them a symbol of the wild Borders landscape.
Why It Matters
In between digging into medieval battles and lost villages, moments like this are a breath of fresh air — quite literally. It’s a reminder that the landscape we explore for history is very much alive.
These uplands, forests, and farmlands are home not just to stories of the past, but to wildlife thriving in the here and now.
Capturing the Unexpected
I wasn’t out filming birds. I wasn’t even expecting to see one. But that’s the beauty of being in the Borders — you never know what’s going to appear through the lens. Whether it’s a ruined tower rising through the mist or a buzzard soaring on a cold wind, the land always has something to share.
Have a watch, and let me know in the comments if you’ve had your own chance wildlife encounters while exploring historic places.
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