Im. Graham et al., THE DIET AND BREEDING DENSITY OF COMMON BUZZARDS BUTEO-BUTEO IN RELATION TO INDEXES OF PREY ABUNDANCE, Bird study, 42, 1995, pp. 165-173
The diet and breeding density of 19 pairs of Common Buzzard Buteo bute
o were studied in relation to indices of lagomorph and vole abundance
during June-July 1993 in a range of habitats in southern Scotland. Lag
omorphs, voles and birds formed over 70% of the food items analysed fr
om prey remains and pellets collected at nest sites. Indices of prey a
bundance differed significantly between habitat types. The percentage
of lagomorph in Buzzard diet in different localities was significantly
correlated with the index of lagomorph abundance; no such correlation
was found between the percentage of vole in Buzzard diet and an index
of vole abundance. The mean nearest-neighbour distance between Buzzar
d nests was 1.9 km. There was a significant negative correlation betwe
en nearest-neighbour distance and lagomorph abundance. It appears that
lagomorphs were the primary prey which influenced the diet and breedi
ng density of Buzzards in the study area.