Honey Buzzards (1 Viewer)

[ROBL250]

I read in a Bird-guide Ive got (Readers Digest, field guide to the birds of Britain) that only a few pairs of Honey Buzzards breed in S.England during summer.
I was wondering with all this hot weather we've been having, wether anyone knows if the numbers are on the rise, also does anyone know if theres any Honey Buzzards that's been spotted this year so far.

 

[Steve G]

There are a few websites that will give you details of UK Honey Buzz (check out Roy Dennis's site: WWW.roydennis.org ) & there are some raptor watchpoints where they can be seen down south. Even get 8+ pairs up in God's chosen land in the average year.

 

[Nick-on]

. Even get 8+ pairs up in God's chosen land in the average year.

8 pairs in Lancashire eh....fancy that!


Nick

 

[Edward]

I was advised to go to the Great Ryburgh raptor watchpoint near Fakenham in Norfolk on my recent trip to Britain which is exactly what I did and had great views of a displaying male Honey Buzzard. You may have to wait a while before they show up but on a warm sunny day lying in a field with Hobbies overhead, it's a pleasant wait.

E

 

[robinm]

I was advised to go to the Great Ryburgh raptor watchpoint near Fakenham in Norfolk ....

I'd second that - excellent views of male doing wing clapping display.

 

[Steve Lister]

I was wondering with all this hot weather we've been having, wether anyone knows if the numbers are on the rise, also does anyone know if theres any Honey Buzzards that's been spotted this year so far.

Recent surveys have suggested that Honey Buzzards are not as scarce as was thought, and maybe climate warming may le them build up their numbers.

This spring/summer has been about normal for them so far - a few migrants (50+ in May) and displaying birds at the well-known sites.

Steve

 

[Nic]

I read in a Bird-guide Ive got (Readers Digest, field guide to the birds of Britain) that only a few pairs of Honey Buzzards breed in S.England during summer.
I was wondering with all this hot weather we've been having, wether anyone knows if the numbers are on the rise, also does anyone know if theres any Honey Buzzards that's been spotted this year so far.

Here in western Sweden it seems like there are fewer Honey Buzzards this year... They have been declining for several years actually. The other day a slendid adult male passed over my house - intensely chased by a common gull. A beautiful sight for sure!

Nic

 

[derby birder]

I would add to the praises of Great Ryburgh although the views can be somewhat distant (definitely scope work). I have also seen HBs at The Raptor Watchpoint near Exeter (Haldon ?? I can't remeber the name !!)

 

[Michael Frankis]

Recent surveys have suggested that Honey Buzzards are not as scarce as was thought, and maybe climate warming may le them build up their numbers

More probably a very slow return closer to pre-raptor persecution numbers. They're not being favoured by global warming, with the best productivity in colder high altitude conifer forests in Wales, etc. The reason is thought to be because their main diet (wasps) are declining as a result of mild winters disrupting their hibernation - they emerge too early in spring, and don't manage to establish successful wasp nests. I would suspect that environmental pollution (insecticide drift, etc, etc) is probably also at least partly responsible for the decline in wasp numbers.

The Raptor Watchpoint near Exeter (Haldon ?? I can't remeber the name !!)

Yep, Haldon is right, but the Honeys haven't been there any more for the last few years, thought to be victims of global warming

Michael

 

[StevieEvans]

Hi all

MF
Whats the status of Honey Buzzard in the North of England ?

Cumbria
North'd
Durham
North Yorks

SE

 

[Helwith]

Hi all

MF
Whats the status of Honey Buzzard in the North of England ?

Cumbria
North'd
Durham
North Yorks

SE

The "publicly known" Cumbrian pair have not nested in the last 2 years at their usual site, sadly.

Don't know of any sites in the 'public domain' in other 3 counties though.

ATB