Alpha Mule Posted December 17, 2009 Report Share Posted December 17, 2009 This morning I spotted one of the local buzzards walking around in one of the open fields (used for horse grazing) mooching for stuff to eat. I've never seen a buzzard do this before (OK I don't have much experience of this), but it has me worried for them. We have a regular pair and another one or two during the summers. I have noticed that our rabbits have evaporated to the point of non-existance on the farm and some of the locals have mentioned that mixi has devastated their areas too. Do I need to get down to Tesco and buy a £3 chicken for them? If I could find a rabbit to shoot on a further off permission I have, I'd happily donate it if required, but haven't seen much of anything lately. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackpowder Posted December 17, 2009 Report Share Posted December 17, 2009 Think yourself lucky you only have one. Blackpowder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frenchieboy Posted December 17, 2009 Report Share Posted December 17, 2009 If you like to see a few birds of prey around then by all means use a rabbit or two for them. You might even have the added bonus of Charlie taking a liking to your kindness! Personally I do like to see a few BOP's around as they keep the carrion down! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gibby Posted December 17, 2009 Report Share Posted December 17, 2009 Being a carrion bird I thought this would be quite normal. Gibby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexm Posted December 17, 2009 Report Share Posted December 17, 2009 (edited) Yes, this is normal for buzzards. They'll pick about looking for insects etc. I'd not seen it myself until a couple of years ago but there are that many more buzzards around now... Edited December 17, 2009 by alexm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pegleg31 Posted December 17, 2009 Report Share Posted December 17, 2009 we'e got loads round here and you often see them in the fields hunting for insects Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robbly Posted December 17, 2009 Report Share Posted December 17, 2009 Think yourself lucky you only have one. Blackpowder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ollie Posted December 17, 2009 Report Share Posted December 17, 2009 I have seen them do this on countless occassions but thats probably because they are in serious numbers around our area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shot shot Posted December 18, 2009 Report Share Posted December 18, 2009 I have seen them do this on countless occassions but thats probably because they are in serious numbers around our area. the population here has exploded in the last 5 years Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egg Posted December 18, 2009 Report Share Posted December 18, 2009 There's a pair been nesting & breeding up the road from us for a few years - they regularly scrounge around the surrounding area. Like Frenchieboy says, chuck them the odd bunny or tree rat. I know they're not the gamekeeper's friend but they do their job in the big circle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roadkill Posted December 18, 2009 Report Share Posted December 18, 2009 i have 8 on one of my estates , i love to see the BOP/'s about Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alpha Mule Posted December 18, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 18, 2009 I'm happy enough to see buzzards, but foxes irritate me (double standard?) I've seen loads of foxes around lately, more so than I have in the last 6~7 years. We have loads of Tawney owls around too. I'd quite happily reduce the fox numbers, but the FAC is proving troublesome (The farmer is saying that he is worried that the FEO will think he is giving permission to all and sundry (as is finding the cash for a rifle) and the MIL is just plain obstinate (bordering on bonkers (Doesn't like me killing stuff with a rifle, but used to get out on the horse for the local hunts every chance she could (we even have a fox head trophy stuck on the wall!))) Anyway, rant over. The buzzards are welcome to grub around and I'll keep my pennies for beer instead Thanks for the input. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry d Posted December 18, 2009 Report Share Posted December 18, 2009 We have so many here, that yesterday I actually ran one over Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frenchieboy Posted December 18, 2009 Report Share Posted December 18, 2009 Alpha Mule, I'm not finding fault but I don't think it is fair for us to make a comparison between Foxes and Buzzards. While Buzzards are basically scavengers and quite lazy hunters, only "chasing" down prey in extreme circumstances and only a threat to young pheasants and other game birds throughout the breeding season the Fox is a completely different charactor and will happily take any game birds or poultry he can get his teeth into at any time of the year and needs to be "controlled"! Please don't take this as a "pop" at you personally, it is just my own personal thoughts and opinion! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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