Honey Buzzard as a Scarce Migrant in Britain in 1998
Reference: Fraser, P A, Lansdown, P G, & Rogers, M J, Report on Scarce Migrant Birds in Britain in 1998, British Birds 93(12): 588-641, at pages 599-600 (2000).
Interesting features of the Honey Buzzard report are:
Evidence of long-term increase with second highest annual total of 166, beaten only in 1993 when 167.
Annual average from 1986-92 is 69 and from 1993-1998 is 132 (1993 seems to have been an important year in accelerating the recent colonisation).
Regional pattern similar to that in 2000 except relatively more in Norfolk and Kent in 1998.
Peak period for the year is very late (as in 2000) with 26 individuals seen from 30th September - 3rd October 1998.
Again as in 2000 passage from Scandinavia was very slight by late September with 90 noted from 21st September to 30th September 1998 of which only 26 from 25th. None were seen at Falsterbo from 1st-4th October. See Skånes Ornitologiska Förening (select Falsterbo followed by Obsar fra 1998 followed by week 39 followed by Rovfågelsträcket i Falsterbo v. 39. Note in 2001 this route is not available).
In southern England strong south-easterly winds prevailed from 30th September - 1st October 1998 followed by a fresh north-easterly on 2nd and a light north-easterly on 3rd October. The exodus of birds would have been facilitated by the clear conditions with light favourable winds on the 3rd. See Daily Telegraph weather maps, for example that for 3rd October
The autumn migration in 1998 is qualitatively quite similar to that in 2000.
