THE DIET AND BREEDING DENSITY OF COMMON BUZZARDS BUTEO-BUTEO IN RELATION TO INDEXES OF PREY ABUNDANCE

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.