Birds of prey

[Tinkerbell]

We've just returned this p.m. from Cornwall - very frosty there and in Devon too, dank and misty all the way back to York where the sun began to shine! Anyway, what I found so remarkable was the numbers of hawks to be seen on our journey, particularly down in Cornwall. Is it something to do with the more open landscape - less trees, much more shrub type vegetation without leaves, which of course made them more visible - or is there naturally a better source of food etc. in that area? Certainly a spotters paradise in the region of the A38. Nice to be back - Happy New Year everyone.

[pheonix]

the south west certainly has a hugher population of buzzards, the reason i dont know or about the other birds of prey, i have noticed there are generally more kestrals and buzzards south than north

[Helen]

The common buzzard (buteo buteo) is doing well here in the Chilterns. A possible reason for this is the successful reintroduction of the red kites, i.e. more public education, less persecution etc.

I regularly have buzzards above the house, sometimes as many as 5 and 6. They can be very noisy, and sound slightly (only slightly!) similar to a red kite.