News 2024

24/03/24 Osprey arrival: 1st seen, an adult at the nest site at Hexham NE, overlooking the Tyne.

16/04/24 Black Kite arrival: 1st seen, gliding behind wood to NE at Bywell.

04/05/24: Honey-buzzard arrival: male up with Black Kite at Ordley.

11/05/24: Hobby arrival: pair in display at Towsbank.

31/05/24: Black Kite largely arrived with 23 birds at 14 sites; Honey-buzzard still arriving with 20 birds at 12 sites; Hobby still arriving with 3 birds at 2 sites; Osprey pair settled at their one site; 3 Goshawk have been seen at 2 sites; 15 Red Kite have been seen at 11 sites.

07/06/24: Black Kite settling down to breed with 26 birds at 15 sites; Honey-buzzard settling down to breed with 30 birds at 19 sites; Hobby still displaying with 5 birds at 3 sites; Osprey pair settled at their one site; 3 Goshawk have been seen at 2 sites; 16 Red Kite have been seen at 12 sites.

16/06/24: Black Kite have settled down to breed with 28 birds at 16 sites; Honey-buzzard have settled down to breed with 34 birds at 22 sites; Hobby still displaying with 7 birds at 4 sites; Osprey pair ongoing at their one site; 4 Goshawk have been seen at 3 sites; 16 Red Kite have been seen at 12 sites.

30/06/24: Black Kite may have young now with 29 birds at 16 sites; Honey-buzzard are sitting tight with 36 birds at 24 sites; Hobby have settled to breed with 8 birds at 5 sites; Osprey presumed ongoing; 4 Goshawk have been seen at 3 sites; 21 Red Kite have been seen at 17 sites, becoming more visible with young in nest.

16/07/24: mid-season lull: Black Kite overall with 30 birds at 17 sites, since 8/6 6 sites found to be occupied by 9 birds; Honey-buzzard overall with 39 birds at 25 sites, since 17/6 7 sites found to be occupied by 9 birds; Hobby have settled to breed with 9 birds at 6 sites; Osprey are ongoing; 4 Goshawk have been seen at 3 sites; 26 Red Kite have been seen at 21 sites.

31/07/24: for Black Kite synchronised fledging around 19/7-21/7 with 13 young and 11 adult seen at 9 sites in 2nd half of month. Honey-buzzard as usual maintain a low profile in rearing phase with just 10 birds (8 male, 2 female) seen at 8 sites since 17/6.

10/08/24: Black Kite have had a fantastic season with 21+ young raised at 13 sites so far. Honey-buzzard are becoming more conspicuous as fledging nears with 11 sites now found to be occupied in the rearing phase. Osprey have raised 1+ young at their site overlooking the Tyne near Hexham.

25/08/24: 34 Black Kite adult have been noted at 18 sites, fledging 26+ young, dispersal is now in progress. 41 Honey-buzzard adult (25 male, 16 female) have been noted at 26 sites with 10+ young at 7 sites, just starting to fly above the canopy. 2 Osprey adult have raised 1+ young at their site overlooking the Tyne near Hexham. No Hobby young seen yet and Goshawk have not been sighted recently. Red Kite have strongholds on the moors of Derwent, parts of Hexhamshire and the upper South Tyne.

31/08/24: Black Kite adults have dispersed but juveniles are still in natal areas in many cases. 41 Honey-buzzard adult (25 male, 16 female) have been noted at 27 occupied sites with 22+ young at 16 sites, adults beginning to leave and juveniles becoming stronger-flying. Osprey last seen on 26/8. No Hobby young seen yet and Goshawk have not been sighted recently. Red Kite away from moorland areas are inconspicuous.

07/09/24: Black Kite juveniles are lingering in many natal areas. 41 Honey-buzzard adult (25 male, 16 female) have been noted at 28 occupied sites with 30+ young at 19 sites, many adults have left, juveniles are foraging in their territories. No Hobby young seen yet and Goshawk have not been sighted recently. Harris’s Hawk probably bred in West Dipton Burn where adult and juvenile seen in late August.

15/09/24: Black Kite juveniles are still lingering in some natal areas. 42 Honey-buzzard adult (25 male, 17 female) have been noted at 31 occupied sites with 41+ young at 26 sites, adults have left along with some juveniles but some are still foraging in their territories. Hobby have raised 1+ young at one site, Towsbank, on 11/9 with no young seen at 5 others occupied earlier. An adult Goshawk male was at one site, Towsbank, on 11/9 but no young seen. Eight types of raptor were at Towsbank on 11/9.

The main aim is to write a book on Honey-buzzard, using my experience in British Isles, continental Europe and Africa, dating from 1993

The main aim in the new season is to write a book on Honey-buzzard, using my experience in British Isles, continental Europe and Africa, dating from 1993. Field work in 2024 in Northumberland will complement this task, filling in gaps and reinforcing findings. No lengthy trips are in mind abroad for 2024, with concentration on the study area and on writing up the two major foreign trips to Georgia (including Batumi) and Kenya in 2023.

Broad headings for book are: Motivation, Historical Records, Rediscovery in Britain, Migration Patterns, Arrival and Display, Breeding Activity, Habitat, Dispersal, Wintering Grounds, Four Identification Models, Value of Field Experience, Further Studies, Bibliography

Quick Links (right-click on image to view in new tab)

Pictures 4003 02/05/2014

Pictures 4007 14/05/2014

Pictures 4040 06/06/2014

Pictures 9006 09/05/2019, 9017 21/05/2019

Pictures 4030 03/06/2014

Pictures 4060 05/09/2014

Pictures 9021 22/05/2019, 9001 28/04/2019

Pictures 10005 02/05/2020

Video of Honey-buzzard

Hexhamshire, Northumberland, 8090 09/07/2018 The birds were vociferous at the start with both male and female up in the air over the nest, giving excited anxiety and anger calls. Took 3 clips of 3-5 minutes each, so very productive. Clip 1 shows the male over the nest at 17:24 with continual anxiety calls and derived snapshots here 1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11. Clip 2 shows the male over the nest at 17:31 keeping quiet after start of clip with derived snapshots here 1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11. Clip 3 shows the male and female over the nest at 17:43 with much anger and anxiety calling, with derived snapshots here 1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11  12  13.

Hexhamshire, Northumberland, 857 13/07/2011 in flight and perched with stills 1  2  3  4  5.

Hexhamshire, Northumberland, 9021 22/05/2019 dispute between 2 male with derived stills 1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19.

Hexhamshire, Northumberland, 640 18/06/2010, anger, anxiety, whimpering calls, Ordley, 18 June 2010, two high-definition mp4 clips part 1  part 2. One of the birds above the canopy on part 2 at 4:45-4:55 with derived stills 1  2  3  4  5  6.

Ireland, Rathmacknee, Co Wexford, 12 Nov 2015, juvenile feed in field Ref: 5900/1112, long video clip and stills 1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11  12  13  14  15. Id points are the horizontal stance with attenuated appearance including the long tail projecting beyond the primary tips, the small head with very noticeable pale yellow cere and the coarse barring on the tail (4 broad bars, including subterminal, slides 3,4) and remiges (4 broad bars, slides 6, 8, 9) and extensive black on primary tips.

Devon, Aylesbeare Common, 15 June 2014, male up in hanging mode at Aylesbeare Common, in fine weather. Here's clip with stills (4100) 1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11.

Study Area 2023

The pattern of fieldwork will continue this year with a concentration on filling in gaps and reinforcing findings. No nest site visits will be done this year. Habitat recording in a 2 x 2km square around the nest is actively underway, starting in winter 2022 with 36 sites assessed by end April 2023: all 6 in Hexhamshire, all 10 in the Allen, all 8 in Tyne Valley W, all 8 in Tyne Valley E, 4 in upper South Tyne. The Black Kite colonisation will be actively monitored. The book is under way with habitat data a vital part of the scientific assessment.

Intensive Site Visits: none this year

Breeding: Running Totals to 15/9 (all data compiled)

Display period: 30/4-16/6 28 site (24 male, 14 female: 38 total)

Sitting/Rearing period: 17/6-19/8 5 site (5 male, 2 female: 7 total)

Fledging period: 20/8-15/9 5 site (2 male, 2 female, 2+ juvenile, 3+ juvenile inferred: 9 total)

Gangs of juveniles:

Study Area 2024

The pattern of fieldwork will continue this year with a concentration on the study area, reinforcing findings. No lengthy trips are in mind abroad for 2024 No nest site visits will be done this year. Habitat recording in a 2 x 2km square around the nest is actively underway, starting in winter 2022 with 36 sites assessed by end April 2023. It is hoped at least to finish the upper South Tyne in 2024. The book is under way with habitat data a vital part of the scientific assessment. The Black Kite colonisation will be actively monitored.

Intensive Site Visits: none this year

Breeding: Running Totals to 15/9 (all data compiled)

Display period: 4/5-16/6 22 site (21 male, 13 female: 34 total)

Sitting/Rearing period: 17/6-18/8 10 site (10 male, 3 female: 13 total)

Fledging period: 19/8-15/9 26 site (9 male, 8 female, 41 juvenile: 58 total)

Gangs of juveniles:

Study Area Report 2012 with Appendix containing hyperlinked field observations

Honey-buzzard Movement in Britain in Autumn 2000

Honey-buzzard Movement in Britain in Autumn 2008

Season 2013 – Summary

Season 2014 – Summary

Season 2015 – Summary

Season 2016 – Summary

Season 2017 – Summary

Season 2018 – Summary

Season 2019– Summary

Season 2020– Summary

Season 2021– Summary

Season 2022 – Summary

News 2022

Honey-buzzard Migrants are British Born and Bred

Review of Record Committee's Review of Honey-buzzard Records in Northumberland 2003-2005 in six parts Review 1-6

Misidentification of Juvenile Honey-buzzard

National Honey-buzzard Survey 2020-2021:

Survey work NR 2020 S/SE study area Report 2020

Survey work NR 2021 SW study area Report 2021

Talks to Hexham Rotary Club on Climate:

The Many Shades of Green (February 2020) pdf

Lies, Damned Lies and Modelling (March 2023) pdf

Medley of Calls of Honey-buzzard in Northumberland

Listen to a great variety of Calls and see their spectrograms.

Clip 640 with anger, anxiety, whimpering calls, Ordley, 18 June 2010, two high-definition mp4 clips part 1  part 2. One of the birds above the canopy on part 2 at 4:45-4:55 with derived stills 1  2  3  4  5  6.

Clip 4007: the mating (wailing) call of the Honey-buzzard, Staward, Allen, 14 May 2014, audio 1.

Clip 4050: single Honey-buzzard call followed immediately by Hobby alarm calls, March Burn, 4 July 2014, video 1.

Clip 4055: sharp Honey-buzzard alarm calls 1 as entered site; had the same calls 3 on exit as birds came back, East Allen, 15 July 2014.

Clips 4059: all presumed from female, alarm, almost whimpering at time 1 (14:59, calls 26-38s 71-83s 150-159s, also faint Common Buzzard juvenile hunger cries 56s), anger+alarm 2 (14:25, calls 12s 25s-272s), anger+alarm 3 (14:31, calls throughout the 97s), anger+alarm 4 (14:34, calls throughout the 14s). Kellas, Derwent, 3 September 2014.

Play many more Videos

Clip 1201 with derived stills 1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8, juvenile mobbed by 3 Hooded Crow, The Raven, Co Wexford, 7 Nov 2013

Clip 4003 (Farnley, Northumberland, 2 May 2014, pair in territory): 2 with derived stills 1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18, showing male (damaged inner primary on right wing, missing inner primary on left wing) in extensive gliding around in territory, with effortless rearing up and strength in the air, the female does some mutual circling near the end (more on Videos page).

Clip 4007 (Staward S, Northumberland, 14 May 2014, male overhead): 1 with derived stills 1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 and stills taken during videoing 10  11  12  13  14  15. Think he's been back a while and is a little lovesick for his mate, of whom no sign. Had some interesting calls as he appeared overhead: mating call of the Honey-buzzard (really!!) with real jungle overtones, but he's not apparently got a mate yet, wonder if it came from pair at Staward N, if so means both birds back here now. Here's the extracted audio clip 1: the mating (wailing) call of the Honey-buzzard.

Clip 4040 (Wylam, Northumberland, 6 June 2014, male overhead): 1 with derived stills 1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11  12 and stills taken during the videoing 1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11  12  13.

Clip 4060 (Eals, Northumberland, 5 September 2014) 1 with derived stills 1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11  12  13  14  15, showing the pair in full display and recording the calls of the Jay and juvenile Honey-buzzard, and 2nd clip 2 with derived stills 1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11  12  13  14  15 showing the male up on his own.

See a lot more Stills

Study Area 2023: Migrants

Spring: Totals

Autumn: Totals

A juvenile up over the nest site at Ordley from 13:31-13:33 climbing fairly high, probably a Scottish bird, on 1/10 (Devil's Water).

Study Area 2024: Migrants

Spring: Totals

None observed

Autumn: Totals

At Dipton Wood main a male was up over the site at moderate altitude at 12:25, before moving off to S on migration, but no other birds seen.(Tyne Valley W)

The male left the Farnley/Prospect Hill site at 13:45 on 31/8 by soaring high and moving S (Tyne Valley W).

A family group of female and 2 juvenile soaring high into the sky at 13:11 on 4/9 at Shilford, the female well above, the 2 juvenile together below – flying practice for going to Africa! Think the female left the scene – bye kids! (Tyne Valley W).

Out of Study Area 2023

Dumfries (18/7-21/7): none.

Munich, Germany, via Amsterdam (25/7-31/7): none.

Liverpool (7/8-11/8): none.

Georgia (23/8-13/9): Tbilisi, Kutaisi, Batumi, nearly 10k (9,620) recorded, 3 possible breeding sites. 12/9 Batumi city centre, 370 birds S (coasting) from 12:10-17:30 in poor weather. 9/9 Batumi city centre, in foul weather from 12:50-18:50, 1,236 birds coasting to avoid poor visibility inland (80% juvenile, 1,212 S, 24 SW). 8/9 Sakhalvasho from 13:30 to 17:00 in poor weather, 70 birds S, adult male in territory. 6/9 Sakhalvasho from 14:45 to 17:20 3,200 flew S (50 juvenile) classical soar-glide. 5/9 Sakhalvasho from 14:15 to 17:10 4,800 flew S, all adult as far as could see; typical kettle and glide strategy. 4/9 Batumi Botanical Gardens, very close-up views of a Honey-buzzard adult female at 15:52, coming down into the trees for the night. 3/9 Batumi Botanical Gardens, 9 appeared over the top of the Gardens (1 14:38, 1 14:47, 6 14:58, 1 15:09), the singles in the lower levels of the mist gliding S, the 4 (out of 6) going higher from local trees, showing display typical of family groups. 2/9 Batumi city centre, an adult at 15:13 floating very high-up over Batumi moving S. 27/8 Tbilisi Botanical Gardens a female at 14:20 overhead. 26/8 Mtskheta, 2 adult coming out of trees to N of the Cathedral at 12:23 in agitated fashion; looked like a pair in breeding territory.

Devon (18/9-23/9): 22/9 Challaborough, a Honey-buzzard juvenile flying W at 11:09 using a large stoop followed by rearing up to progress.

North Yorkshire (28/9): Shipton by Beningbrough, a juvenile flying S at low altitude in flap-flap-glide motion.

Kenya (10/12-28/12): Nairobi, Masai Mara, Mombasa, was provisionally none but extensive footage was analysed revealing single males out hunting in the Mara at Aitong on 16/12 at 16:45 and a balloon centre on 18/12 at 07:44.

Out of Study Area 2024

Budapest (19/6-24/6): none

Oxford (11/8-16/8): none

Hertfordshire (16/8-18/8): Welwyn N, a female Honey-buzzard gliding over suitable habitat