Born Survivor by danob
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No AI - This artwork was created entirely by hand or with traditional digital tools.
Description
As with most birds of prey, breeding success is dependent more on food supply than on any other single factor (although weather, disturbance etc. do play a part).
The outbreak of myxomatosis in the 1950s was a disaster not only for rabbits (99% of their number had disappeared by 1956), but also for buzzards for whom the rabbit had become the main prey item. The buzzards changed their diet to carrion, then fell prey to the results of toxic pesticides. It took until 1983 to return to the 1954 peak of 12-15,000 pairs in mainland UK.
The numbers are now (despite some persecution) growing nicely, but myxomatosis was back in 2001!
2007 update - Buzzards are now estimated to have a UK population of between 40-60000 pairs (some areas of SE England have experienced increases of 400% in the last 10 years!).
Comments (39)
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWW ESPTACULAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Roby ;O)
Beautifully captured as always the details & information make interesting reading Stuart
I did not realize buzzards were so attractive. You've done the breed a great service, here.
Stunning bird portrait. Fantastic details and beautiful colors. An excellent shot!!
Absolutely stunning! Sheer perfection!
immagine come sempre spettacolare! Complimenti!
A brilliant buzzard portrait! Love this professional shot!!!
Wow! A superb capture! Cathy xoxoxo
Buzzards are the Homer Simpson of the raptor world,I see them sat on a fence post waiting for cars to make a kill for them! But as as soon as you stop they are flying away which makes your view so good for detail.