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Are Buzzards responsible for the decline in the Kestrel population?Raptor Politics welcomes questions like the one we have published below submitted by one of our readers. This is indeed a very interesting question as we are sure like everyone else in northern England the steady increase in the number of Buzzards into areas where previously none existed has been a topic on many people’s minds. At the same time we have also noticed a steady decline in the number of Kestrels. We are sure the question will result in many interesting and helpful replies. Message:I have been following the forum for some time and finally decided to contribute. Are any of your forum members aware or have any thoughts on the decline of the kestrel? The reason for asking is that I come from a lowland area where there has been a massive increase in numbers of buzzards but a serious decline in the kestrel population.When out and about I’ve noticed buzzards perched where there were once kestrels, then the other morning I saw a buzzard attack a kestrel.The question is could the buzzard be out competing the kestrel, therefore contributing to its decline in some way? I have tried to find some research but have been unable to find any.Thoughts welcome.Many thanks Eso15 comments to Are Buzzards responsible for the decline in the Kestrel population?Leave a Reply |
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I doubt if one factor can be attributed to be ‘the cause’ of the decline in Common Kestrels and would caution any suggestion that a single factor is to blame. The two may be linked, I’m not aware of any research but I do know that other factors could be at play. For example the Predatory Bird Monitoring Scheme results on Common Kestrel show a high number (70% I think) with rodenticide residues in the livers, how much mortality is caused by this? Traffic continues to increase, once Kestrels were a common site as road casualties, did this cause the crash? How much impact have the last two winters had?
The latest monograph on the species [ http://www.whittlespublishing.com/index.php?view=product&product=171 has Goshawk as a killer of Kestrel in one area but in another area there is no problem at all.
Buzzards are not mentioned at all as killers. Here at Geltsdale we have many Buzzards and many Kestrels. In fact 2 pairs of Kestrels nested by the house this year. 1 was in a box and another in a crow’s nest. The box produced young while the crow’s nest failed due to the weather. A near by Long eared Owl nesting in a Magpie’s nest reared 2 young only 100 yards from the crow’s nest and 40 yards from a Barn Owl’s nest.
During the early 1970′s it was estimated that the kestrel population might exceed 100,000 pairs. Since that time there has certainly been a decline in numbers, and this has run parallel with a marked increase in the numbers of peregrines, buzzards, and sparrowhawks, three species all of which prey on kestrels occasionally. However, the raptors mentioned also compete with the kestrel for breeding/hunting territory, a classic example being Chichester Cathedral where kestrels nested for decades until being ousted by peregrines.
The fact is that from the mid-fifties until the mid-seventies, the kestrel had thousands of square miles of habitat all to itself, in the absence (in much of the UK) of the three predators named above. When things began to change, I and others witnessed a steady decline in kestrel numbers.
The real question is this: Is falco tinnunculus declining in the worrying sense, or are its numbers just levelling out to a more natural figure, now that it has to share the land with other hawks, falcons and buzzards.
Competition for prey is probably more a likely cause than Kestrel being preyed on by other raptors. If this is the case then buzzard will undoubtedly be part of the issue (Barn owl must not be overlooked).
We still have a very strong population of Kestrels within County Durham sharing this with Buzzards. Some slight decline over the last two years of Kestrels but i put this down to the last two very inclement winters. Previous to these two winters and this year most Kestrel broods were high 3-4 fledged Juveniles) right across the county. I would presume there is some copetition for food i.e. small mammals but this has not been investigated as far as i am aware.
Kestrel numbers were also down in the Forest of Bowland this year, can’t blame the Peregrine this time after 14 territories were found abandoned and many adult falcons missing!
Here in Herts/Bucks the kestrel population still seems healthy enough even though the buzzard and kite population is increasing. I have often witnessed kestrels attacking buzzards but not the other way around. I think Doug may have it right in that their numbers may be leveling out in the face of an increasing raptor population. Being mostly hole nesters i don’t think buzzards are competition on that score. Also let’s not forget that a large amount of kestrels nest in man made boxes (we rung 54 chicks this year)which has increased their choice of sights.Peregrines may affect town dwelling kestrels as their own population increases for both nest sites and because they will also prey on them. The decline is probably a due to a number of factors.
nor can we over look the last two very cold winters. Many prey species upon which the kestrel depends upon would also be very difficult if not impossible to find with deep snow covering the fields for week on end.
When Peregrine Falcons, after firstly establishing territory, and then mating, and then the female deciding at which scrape she will lay and incubate her eggs and raise her chicks…disappear in the Forest of Bowland?. Elsewhere in quarries,church steeples and high buldings they stay at their territorial site even after egg or chick predation. Why in the Forest of Bowland have many pairs simply disappeared this season?
I have seen very few Kestrels this year, the good news is that a pair raised three chicks which fledged in one of our Barn Owl Boxes, we observed them all hunting over the fields on many occasions but have not seen them for a couple of weeks.
My project for next year is to put up four Kestrel Nesting Boxes, subject to funding,on the outskirts of our village which has always been a good hunting ground for Kestrels in the past. I am hoping that the Parish Council will help fund this project, we will place the boxes on poles, now looking for a kind farmer to put the poles in if it all works out, if not I will donate two from our funds and another two next year.
Great news Chrissie. Lack of nesting sites can also be the reason for a decline just like for Barn Owl. It would be great to see Parish Councils get involved with a nest box scheme. Just think if every council in England did the same using local schools to make the boxes what a difference it would make!!
It seems that kestrels are also still being shot as shown by this recent report from Derbyshire. An appeal has now been launched by the Derbyshire police after a kestrel was found shot in the small village of Taddington just a few days ago.
The incident was reported to police on Saturday, October 22 by a couple who found the bird in their garden off Main Road in the village.
Officers believe that the kestrel had been shot in the chest by an air rifle.
PC Sandra Wetton, Safer Neighbourhood officer for the area, said: “There are no circumstances in which a kestrel can be legally shot and we would encourage anybody with information about the shooting or poisoning of birds of prey to contact police.”
The police have asked any member of the public with information to contact Derbyshire police by calling 101, the new national police non-emergency number.
Alternatively, information can be anonymously passed through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
I am a student at Oxford Brookes university and I’m very intruiged by this subject. I’m currently looking at the interactions between Red Kites and Common Buzzards, could the reintroduction of red kites have caused increased competition for buzzards who have therefore started competing with Kestrels. I have noticed a decline in kestrels and an increase + spread of buzzards and red kites, I have also seen buzzards where kestrels used to be and even more bewilderingly I saw a buzzard almost hovering as if it had copied what a kestrel would do! Kestrel numbers are influenced by vole populations and so are buzzards, there are many intriguing questions to be asked and hopefully a few good studies to be performed in the near future! it would be a great shame to see kestrel numbers diminish!
Since the return of peregrines, sparrow hawks, and buzzards, all of which occasionally prey on kestrels, the latter falcon has simply leveled out in numbers because it now has to share territory with these other species, where as before, the kestrel had millions of acres all to itself, in the absence of the three first mentioned raptors.
Hovering has always been part of the buzzards hunting strategy.
The kestrel is under no threat of extinction, indeed there are still good numbers in suitable habitat, though nowhere near the 100,000 pairs estimated in the early 1970′s.
Are you sure hovering has always been used by Buzzards? From what I have read and seen they are too heavy and less nimble when compared to the much more nimble and lighter Red Kite and the much smaller Kestrel, so they tend to perch on fences,telegraph poles etc etc. Hovering has always been reserved and specialized by Kestrels who are able to move their wings in the necessary motions and do so with out using up too much energy. That’s why it surprised me when I saw a buzzard do something similar, probably using the wind to help it stay in one place.
It is interesting because at the moment there are no journals/studies that have looked at the effects of the increase in Buzzard populations (or the reintroduction of Red Kites for that matter). In the future we will, as you said, probably see the populations revert to how they looked in the past!
Editor’s Comment, Buzzards wre first observed hovering on hillsides in Wales about 30 years ago, its a completely different hover used by Kestrels however, its more of a few wing beats while staying motionless.