The Group’s members are ‘raptor enthusiasts’. Currently there are 26 members, though the twice-yearly meetings are usually attended by between 10 and 15 people. Apart from the Buzzard breeding surveys carried out in 1994 and 1999 [see article on page 13. Ed.], the Group has established a database for breeding records, published an internal annual report and effected successful liaison with other, related groups and key players elsewhere. Particular activities in the future will involve the wing-tagging of birds so that their dispersal can be monitored and the DNA analysis of feathers.

How was the study carried out? The 1994 survey indicated about 18 probable breeding pairs of Buzzard in Cheshire. This was a marked increase over the Atlas survey of 1978 to 1984, when breeding was confirmed in just two 2km by 2km tetrads. Before deciding on the methodology for the 1999 survey, the Group invited Robin Prytherch from Bristol to talk to the Group. Robin has intensively studied Buzzards around his home area for the last 20 years. His input proved absolutely invaluable, as well as providing a fascinating and stimulating afternoon for those attending. His key point was that breeding pairs of Buzzards are highly territorial, staying in their territory throughout the year and defending it against interlopers. It was decided, therefore, that the prime objective of the study should be to determine the number of pairs of birds holding territory with a subsidiary objective to determine their breeding success where time allowed. The county was divided into nine areas with a coordinator for each.

So what were the results? The bottom line was that a minimum of 157 territory-holding pairs was found. This is probably an underestimate as the distribution of pairs was patchy and probably reflected the intensity of coverage as well as the suitability of habitat. The county’s stronghold for Buzzards is in the south-west, where 35 pairs were recorded, with other significant hot spots around Burton/Shotwick, Frodsham/Delamere and Tatton/Macclesfield and along the south-east border with Staffordshire and Shropshire. This wasn’t too surprising as Robin Prytherch had found that birds tended to infill all territories in an area before populating new areas. Only in the south-west did breeding density approach the level at which he had shown that the number of fledged birds significantly declined, i.e. the natural population limit. This means that we can expect a considerable further increase in the number of breeding Buzzards both within most existing hot spots and in new areas.

What about breeding success? In the south-west 14 of the 35 territories were looked at in detail to assess breeding success. Breeding was confirmed in 12 territories, with virtually every pair fledging two young. Similar results were found in other areas, which further underlines the view that we can expect considerable expansion in future years!

What next? Buzzards have spread so widely in Cheshire for many reasons. Obviously there must be plenty of food (mainly rabbits); there must also be sufficient nest sites (plenty of mature trees) and there must be freedom from persecution. Provided we can eliminate persecution, which must in the past have slowed the spread of Buzzards, we can expect most raptors to flourish in the county. Therefore, we can be optimistic that Buzzards will spread further. Similarly, other raptors should be monitored: we can expect Red Kites to colonise, Hobbies are now breeding in the county and Ravens (an honorary raptor!) continue to expand.

Thanks: The survey wouldn’t have been possible without the help of so many people in providing records. Particular thanks go to the area coordinators: Richard Hargreaves, Colin Wells, Steve Barber, Brian Martin, Colin Lythgoe, Charles Hull, Roy Leigh, Neil Friswell and Bernard Wright. Many thanks also to Robin Prytherch and to CAWOS for funding his visit.