BIRDS OF PREY IN THE UK - RSPB

13
Mark Hamblin (rspb-images.com)
Buzzards
Buzzards bred throughout most of the
UK in 1800, but persecution resulted in
widespread declines and by 1875 they
remained only in western Britain. From
their lowest point between 1900 and
1914 6 , numbers increased until 1955,
before declining again due to the
decimation of rabbit populations by
myxomatosis. The buzzard’s recovery,
starting in the 1960s, was slow. During
the 1990s however, the rate of spread
accelerated with birds re-colonising the
south and east of England and eastern
Scotland, representing the initial stages
of a new success story. This recovery is
in no small part thanks to the
enlightened attitudes of lowland
gamekeepers, and initiatives such as
practical guidelines for minimising the
impact of birds of prey at pheasant release
pens 52 . By 2000, there were estimated to
be 31,000 to 44,000 occupied territories in
the UK 30 . However, in some areas, the rate
of expansion has been restricted illegally 53 .
Birds of prey in the UK: on a wing and a prayer