Buzzards breeding - hopefully

[Basil H]

Mr. Gain, you might want to check which species are subsumed in the pelecaniformes..... I don't think anyone is exactly obsessed about cormorant numbers - or are they ?

 

[GlennUK]

I'm about as enthused by flourishing buzzard/kite populations as I am by proliferations of feral pigeons. That is to say, they are very low down on the list of species I would like us to support. The obsession with increasing numbers of large raptors, pelicaniformes, and mammals, at the expense of the more vulnerable species they prey on strikes me as perverse and premature. Get the habitat right for the base of the pyramid before you flood the apex.

Im not sure what the land is like where you live, but round here, the base of the pyramid is largely compromised a large areas of monoculture interspersed with odd bits of rough ground. which does not suit many animals from the base up as far as i can tell. For our part our back field has been left unkempt apart form native species of trees and shrubs we have planted, i have no idea if this constitutes 'getting the habitat right'. It will no doubt suit some animals and not others, but is a break in the otherwise largely monoculture that is farmed and golf course round here.

Im not entirely sure there are any pheasant/partridge shoots within 15 miles not sure if our buzzards pose a particular threat to them.

They're not particularly rare round here (Essex), we just enjoy seeing them.

FWIW we are not obsessed with the Buzzards but if they're going to breed were happy to see them doing so in our trees.

We are lucky to get a few different birds of prey on a fairly frequent basis, along with small/medium sized mammals, a relatively large variety of different birds from the wren upwards. We also get a variety of insect life, butterflies, and flora as well, its not just the buzzards that give us a buzz!

 

[jimmer.13]

Im not sure what the land is like where you live, but round here, the base of the pyramid is largely compromised a large areas of monoculture interspersed with odd bits of rough ground. which does not suit many animals from the base up as far as i can tell. For our part our back field has been left unkempt apart form native species of trees and shrubs we have planted, i have no idea if this constitutes 'getting the habitat right'. It will no doubt suit some animals and not others, but is a break in the otherwise largely monoculture that is farmed and golf course round here.

Im not entirely sure there are any pheasant/partridge shoots within 15 miles not sure if our buzzards pose a particular threat to them.

They're not particularly rare round here (Essex), we just enjoy seeing them.

FWIW we are not obsessed with the Buzzards but if they're going to breed were happy to see them doing so in our trees.

We are lucky to get a few different birds of prey on a fairly frequent basis, along with small/medium sized mammals, a relatively large variety of different birds from the wren upwards. We also get a variety of insect life, butterflies, and flora as well, its not just the buzzards that give us a buzz!

Mono culture:

Farming of a single crop.

Not allowed in this country chap. However with 5 minute farmers springing up everywhere and the attack on farmers and agriculture in general, you might be scrapping with your Buzzard mates for a decent meal in the not too distant future

 

[GlennUK]

Mono culture:

Farming of a single crop.

Not allowed in this country chap. However with 5 minute farmers springing up everywhere and the attack on farmers and agriculture in general, you might be scrapping with your Buzzard mates for a decent meal in the not too distant future

No one is attacking farmers, farming or agriculture, at least not on this thread as far as i can tell.

Im not sure that the crops our farmers grow is good for wildlife in the context of 'get(ting) the habitat right', whatever one calls it..

 

[jimmer.13]

No one is attacking farmers, farming or agriculture, at least not on this thread as far as i can tell.

Im not sure that the crops our farmers grow is good for wildlife in the context of 'get(ting) the habitat right', whatever one calls it..

What would one think they should grow that puts affordable food on your table?
It’s a balance between feeding people and managing the country side. The days of Gramoxone are long gone. Farming is one of the most heavily legislated industries in the UK. Cut a hedge at the wrong time of year for example and see where that gets you.
Modern farming and game shooting has probably done more to restore the balance of nature in the last 20 years than any other collective body of conservation organisations.
Probably a discussion for another thread.
Back on topic If you want to see some buzzards pop down to my neck of the woods. Hundreds of them about currently smashing the leverets and young rabbits

As an edit the only thing attacking farmers and agriculture at the moment are the imbeciles in Westminster and their WEF puppet masters.
Wait and see what’s coming, the countryside as we know it will be transformed beyond recognition under this administration.

 

[Mr. Gain]

Mr. Gain, you might want to check which species are subsumed in the pelecaniformes..... I don't think anyone is exactly obsessed about cormorant numbers - or are they ?

Agreed, but the group includes Storks and other amphibian killers. And last time I looked, cormorants were protected, too (occasional control licenses notwithstanding).