Reported Honey-buzzards: Totals by Month 2002 and Comments
|
month |
Total 2001 |
SW |
CI |
SE |
EA |
Mid |
NE |
NW |
Sc |
Wal |
NI |
Total 2002 |
|
April |
3 |
2 |
|
|
1* |
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
5 |
|
May |
62 |
7 |
1 |
16* |
12 |
4 |
17 |
4 |
3* |
|
|
64 |
|
June |
23 |
1 |
|
7* |
7 |
10* |
5 |
|
2* |
|
|
32 |
|
July |
14 |
|
|
4 |
7 |
2 |
5 |
|
|
1 |
|
19 |
|
Aug |
39 |
2 |
|
9 |
9-17 |
6 |
12 |
1 |
|
3 |
|
42-50 |
|
Sept |
57 |
12 |
2 |
22 |
10 |
9 |
16 |
|
3 |
2 |
|
76 |
|
Oct |
20 |
1 |
|
1 |
1 |
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
4 |
|
Nov |
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0 |
|
Total |
218 |
25 |
3 |
59 |
47-55 |
32 |
57 |
5 |
8 |
6 |
0 |
242-250 |
Figures from Birdguides except those in brackets where from Birdwatch regional reports.
These totals are not directly comparable with the presumed migrant totals compiled by British Birds. The records above are unchecked and may include breeding sites, though each breeding site will only feature once per month. On the other hand not all records are submitted to the Birdguides/Birdwatch systems.
Notes:
May: a dozen gives an indication of the numbers possibly breeding in the north east England region (Birdwatch). Most were on the eastern side with 45 out of 64 total in the north east, south east and east Anglia.
June: the regional total of ten, mainly 2nd and 15th, for the midlands was a June record (Birdwatch).
July: as usual very few noted this month when they are incubating or feeding small young.
August: the total for east Anglia is given as a range as a flock of 9 buzzard sp was identified variously as 9 Honey-buzzards or 1 Honey-buzzard and 8 Common Buzzards. Only eight Honey-buzzards were noted before 12th. About 25 Common Buzzards were reported on migration from 14th-28th August. Three migrant Goshawks were reported from 18th-28th August.
September: an impressive total of 76 Honey-buzzards was reported, most on the eastern side with 22 in the south east, 16 in the north east and ten in east Anglia. A fairly high total of 12 was also found in the south west with six in Dorset on 2nd. During the month 42 were noted by 12th, 15 more by 20th and a further 19 by 30th. About 57 Common Buzzards were recorded on migration most from 1st-10th and 22nd-29th, hence apparently corresponding closely in timing to Honey-buzzards. Two migrant Goshawks were reported on 10th and 21st respectively. Winds were helpful for a speedy exit around 20th-26th September being a strong N/NE at times. Some juveniles were probably lost in the Atlantic Ocean at this time due to westerly drift (see Inverness satellite tracking 2002).
October: only 4 noted. The species is perhaps adapting better to the British climate and completing its breeding season more sharply. Only 2 obvious Common Buzzard migrants were reported. The correlation between Honey-buzzard and Common Buzzard movements this year is very close and actually quite surprising. In continental Europe Common Buzzard movement peaks one month later than that of Honey-buzzard and of course British populations are quite sedentary from ringing recoveries.
See Passage at Falsterbo in 2002 for a comparison of Honey-buzzard and Common Buzzard passage in 2002. The Common Buzzard movement peaks 5-6 weeks later than the Honey-buzzard one.
November: no late birds.
Annual total: over 10% higher than in 2001 and only beaten by the exceptional 2000 total. The south east region had the highest total (59) followed closely by north east England (57). The high total in the north east perhaps reflects the availability of extensive woodlands (for breeding), the relatively straight-forward migration routes over the English Channel in a southwards direction (for juvenile survival on first migration) and a strategic position for birds moving to and from Scotland. East Anglia had the third-highest total indicating once more the eastward bias in migration routes.
