A comparison of breeding success and prey of the Common BuzzardButeo buteoin two areas of northern Scotland

Open Access

1 March 1995

journal article
research article
Published by Taylor & Francis in Bird Study

Vol. 42 (1) , 37-43
https://doi.org/10.1080/00063659509477146

Abstract

The breeding success of 2 Common Buzzard Buteo buteo populations in the north of Scotland, were studied over the period 1977–¸89. Marked differences were found in breeding density, clutch size and nesting success. An examination of prey remains found at nests in the 2 areas provided a possible explanation. The more successful population in Moray were feeding on large prey items such as Rabbits and Wood Pigeons, whereas the other population in Glen Urquhart, fed more on voles and small passerine birds. A parallel study on Tawny Owls in Glen Urquhart showed a strong correlation between their annual breeding success and that of the local buzzards. This fluctuated on a 4- year cycle and was probably in response to vole abundance.

Keywords

This publication has 1 reference indexed in Scilit:

Analysis of Nest Record Cards for the Buzzard
Bird Study, 1972