Correlates of the population increase of Common Buzzards Buteo buteo in the West Midlands between 1983 and 1996

Buzzard density and distribution increased significantly in the West Midlan ds between 1983 and 1996. The number of soaring Buzzards counted in spring increased by 118% in the main range, 348% in the edge range and 231% overal l. Although there was no significant linens trend in breeding success betwe en 1950 and 1995, numbers of young fledged per breeding attempt were highes t in the period 1980-95. This high productivity coincided with an increase in Rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus abundance. Persecution levels, especially p oisonings, appear to have been lower in the 1990s than during 1975-89. Incr eased productivity due to high Rabbit abundance and higher survival rates d ue to reduced persecution, are likely to be the main factors responsible fo r the rapid increase in the Buzzard population in this area. Buzzards are i ncreasing in numbers in other parts of Britain and Ireland and may now be m ore numerous than at may time this century.