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Honey buzzard, photo  Ülo Väli

 

The summary of this  year’s monitoring of birds of prey is ready. In addition to the other birds of prey the state of the abundance and breeding success of the birds of the year, the buzzards, is examined.

The new data on honey buzzards allow some rejoicing – the abundance of this species has recovered from the low of the intervening years. Surprisingly many honey buzzard pairs started breeding in this year’s cold spring-summer, but sadly a large part of the nestings failed.  While honey buzzards usually raise two chicks then this year there were many one-chick-nests. Summing up, the breeding success of honey buzzards was close to the long-term average.

 

Buzzard, photo  Arne Ader

 

The number of our most numerous raptor, the buzzard, has remained stable during recent decades and the current year did not indicate any change. The breeding results were near the average: there were not many rodents this year but enough for the successfully nesting pairs to be able to feed two chicks.

Regarding the other raptors, data highlighted the continuing decrease of harriers and the comparatively low numbers of goshawks, Ural owls and tawny owls.

The results of the raptor survey can be read on the website of the Estonian Ornithological Society: LINK  http://www.eoy.ee/en/node/282

 

Information about the birds of the year:

http://www.eoy.ee/viu/

 

ulo.vali@emu.ee
56477549