British Population is Still Relatively Small
At 250 pairs (for argument's sake), only Ireland (0 pairs, apparently), Portugal on the southern limit (10-100 pairs) and Luxembourg (100-150 pairs) would have smaller populations than Britain in the more maritime parts of western Europe. France has 8,000-12,000, Sweden 5,000-10,000, Norway 500-1,000 and Spain 1,000-2,000. Note the big ranges often quoted with this species but it is clearly one of the commonest large raptors in Europe. Other figures: Britain 50-60, Netherlands 630-760, Belgium 300-450, Germany 3,600-3,800, Denmark 600-700 (Kostrzewa 1998).
Further points (Kostrzewa 1998):
Numbers in Britain or the Netherlands are stable or increasing though there is a need for more counts.
Estimates of populations and trends are difficult because of secretive habits during the breeding cycle.
Philopatry is shown in optimal habitat (i.e. on dry soils with good wasp populations) but they are more nomadic in suboptimal habitat with changing food resources.
Main area of woodland per pair is 1000 ha.
Density is typically one pair per 100km2. Much less than density of Goshawk Accipiter gentilis (2.0) and Common Buzzard (14.0).
Productivity in Sweden is very low at 0.34 young per pair.
Also note that the RSPB thought in 2001 that probably less than 5% of the suitable habitat for Honey Buzzard in Britain is occupied at present Threats to Birds of Prey (link not available now)
Reference:
Kostrzewa, A, Honey Buzzard, in: BWP Update, 2(2) p.107-120, 1998.
