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 sites (21 male, 13 female: 34 total)

Sitting/Rearing period: 17/6-18/8: 12 sites (11 male, 4 female: 15 total)

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

Gangs of juveniles: none

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 on 31/8, before moving off to S on migration, but no other birds seen (Devil’s Water)

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).

A juvenile over fields at Ordley on 21/9, putting up Corvids, from time to time at 17:10-18:30 (Devil’s Water).

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

North Yorkshire (5/10): a juvenile up at 12:44 with masses of Corvids at Bolton Percy, North Yorkshire

Dubai (25/10-2/11): 26/10 at 17:00 at Jumeirah Golf Estates a long- and broad-winged, large, Honey-buzzard of eastern type, was flying E at moderate height in smooth glide with occasional flaps, mobbed by some House Crow. Presumed the same bird as that seen earlier to N: a Crested Honey-buzzard (eastern type) over the waterways there; the raptor at 16:35 was climbing when first seen, before coming back quickly again, so presumably disturbed; it was large and long-winged so presumably orientalis race breeding in Siberia.

Dubai (24/12-31/12): none