Spent an amazing afternoon watching upto six Buzzards close to my patch. Two were displaying, diving/calling at each other, and showing a lot of interest in a wood. It was brilliant to watch.
If these birds were seen in this area just 5 years ago doing this sort of behaviour it would have caused a major stir in the Suffolk birding community.
Has anyone else noticed a major shift in the Buzzard population/range over the past few years.
I'm so pleased that this fabulous Raptor has finally made it to my area.
I see Buzzards regularly when I am out cycling around the country lanes just a mile or so out of Swindon. They certainly seem a relatively common bird these days. I also see lots of Kestrels, but I guess that is normal. If my patch is anything to go by the Buzzard is doing well at the moment.
Buzzards, although one of the most common birds of prey in Britain are a rare sight around East Anglia/Essex due to intensive farming methods and persecution from gamekeepers. Thankfully this seems to have changed and numbers in this area are increasing, indeed the farm where I live have a pair which are regularly seen (but not close enough for photographs).
Posted by stuart scott on April 5, 2006 at 4:48 AM
When I was living in Hertfordshire it was very rare to see a buzzard. Just before I moved away a year ago they were getting a little more common but it was still unusual to see one.
Now I'm up in SE Scotland I can see double figures in a 50 minute road journey. This is not too dissimilar to when I’m in Wales or Cornwall.
They seem to be gradually moving to the east side of the country.
Posted by John Chapman on April 5, 2006 at 5:44 AM
Hi Rob
we are very fortunate in grampian we have plenty of rabbits and an abundance of Buzzards.Long may it continue.
John
Aberdeen
Similar story in berkshire/oxon, rabbit population recovery post mixie and lack of persecution has allowed buzzard to spread westwards, used to be a rare bird 10 years ago, but easily located now, a 20 minute trip from Newbury to Maidenhead on M4 will yield at least 5 soaring birds in fine weather. Heck I even see them and Red Kite over Reading town center now
Mike
Posted by Peter Barritt on April 5, 2006 at 11:38 AM
got dozens of em in Shropshire. Not unusual to see up to 12 wheeling around the edge of Shrewsbury and some even fly over the town. could be a buzzard convention centre perhaps mind you the rabbits are at it day and night up here.
we noticed buzzards on my native isle of wight increasing in numbers about 8 years ago i guess. they are now seen most days and there is normally a pair wheeling about our house on the calm sunny days. i remember a friend of mine coming down from 'the smoke' having not been to the island for a number of years and was most excited at seeing such a sight.
now they are numerous all over the island, and it's funny to read the 'official' rspb numbers each year still counting the isle of wight population as two breeding pairs!!
about five years ago we also began to see a few sightings of raven, which we are pleased to say they are also increasing in numbers. when i go home in a couple of weeks i hope to be able to photograph a pair that a farmer friend has been viewing in close quarters for a couple of months now.
Discussion
8 repliesSpent an amazing afternoon watching upto six Buzzards close to my patch. Two were displaying, diving/calling at each other, and showing a lot of interest in a wood. It was brilliant to watch.
If these birds were seen in this area just 5 years ago doing this sort of behaviour it would have caused a major stir in the Suffolk birding community.
Has anyone else noticed a major shift in the Buzzard population/range over the past few years.
I'm so pleased that this fabulous Raptor has finally made it to my area.
Regards
Rob
I see Buzzards regularly when I am out cycling around the country lanes just a mile or so out of Swindon. They certainly seem a relatively common bird these days. I also see lots of Kestrels, but I guess that is normal. If my patch is anything to go by the Buzzard is doing well at the moment.
cheers
Sean
Now I'm up in SE Scotland I can see double figures in a 50 minute road journey. This is not too dissimilar to when I’m in Wales or Cornwall.
They seem to be gradually moving to the east side of the country.
we are very fortunate in grampian we have plenty of rabbits and an abundance of Buzzards.Long may it continue.
John
Aberdeen
Mike
we noticed buzzards on my native isle of wight increasing in numbers about 8 years ago i guess. they are now seen most days and there is normally a pair wheeling about our house on the calm sunny days. i remember a friend of mine coming down from 'the smoke' having not been to the island for a number of years and was most excited at seeing such a sight.
now they are numerous all over the island, and it's funny to read the 'official' rspb numbers each year still counting the isle of wight population as two breeding pairs!!
about five years ago we also began to see a few sightings of raven, which we are pleased to say they are also increasing in numbers. when i go home in a couple of weeks i hope to be able to photograph a pair that a farmer friend has been viewing in close quarters for a couple of months now.
good to see it all.
mark