bullet dodger Posted March 29, 2014 Report Share Posted March 29, 2014 Following the re introduction of these fine birds , has anyone noted a drop in rabbit numbers ? We have a pair locally and the rabs are definately on the decline ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blacksheep Posted March 29, 2014 Report Share Posted March 29, 2014 i live in Mid Wales we have loads of them here , they are carrion birds they don't hunt rabbits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bullet dodger Posted March 29, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 29, 2014 Didnt realise that, there must be another explanation then. Myxi is not an issue, land is quite low level so maybe persistent wet weather has moved them. there are definately fewer bunnies than this time last year ( not been over shot ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Codeye Posted March 29, 2014 Report Share Posted March 29, 2014 Like buzzards they only have small feet compared to there size so tackling big prey and risking injury trying to keep hold is a definate no no Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisherman Mike Posted March 29, 2014 Report Share Posted March 29, 2014 Following the re introduction of these fine birds , has anyone noted a drop in rabbit numbers ? We have a pair locally and the rabs are definately on the decline ! Since the hunting ban fox numbers have burgeoned...this is the reason why rabbit numbers are in decline. Before 1955 and the introduction of Myxomatosis Buzzard (and Rabbit) numbers were strong so it wouldn't be predation by these. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlieT Posted March 29, 2014 Report Share Posted March 29, 2014 Like buzzards they only have small feet compared to there size so tackling big prey and risking injury trying to keep hold is a definate no no Buzzards have very powerful talons, I regularly watch them take rabbits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnphilip Posted March 29, 2014 Report Share Posted March 29, 2014 I always thought they wood kill when they had young to feed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisherman Mike Posted March 29, 2014 Report Share Posted March 29, 2014 I always thought they wood kill when they had young to feed They do....quite capable of snatching a very young rabbit or other small mammal, but they are evolved for soaring and tracking down carrion & earthworms which make up a high percentage of their diet. Unlike other common raptors they are not structured for speed of the hunt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnphilip Posted March 29, 2014 Report Share Posted March 29, 2014 They do....quite capable of snatching a very young rabbit or other small mammal, but they are evolved for soaring and tracking down carrion & earthworms which make up a high percentage of their diet. Unlike other common raptors they are not structured for speed of the hunt. I see you have my favorite sea bird as your avatar.used to love watching them, when i had my boat,happy days Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisherman Mike Posted March 29, 2014 Report Share Posted March 29, 2014 I see you have my favorite sea bird as your avatar.used to love watching them, when i had my boat,happy days Yes Mine too...that and the Jackdaw of which I had many as pets when I was a lad...among the most intelligent of birds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r1steele Posted March 29, 2014 Report Share Posted March 29, 2014 Buzzards have very powerful talons, I regularly watch them take rabbits. And pheasants off feed rides. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Al Posted March 29, 2014 Report Share Posted March 29, 2014 And pheasants off feed rides. Yes. I have seen buzzards take live adult pheasants too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
masmiffy Posted March 30, 2014 Report Share Posted March 30, 2014 The rabbit numbers here are on the decline rapidly!! I have been told that VHD has been released which will devastate the rabbit population. http://www.veterinaryresearch.org/content/43/1/12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kennett Posted March 30, 2014 Report Share Posted March 30, 2014 Watched a buzzard chase a squab pigeon into the base of a christmas tree at work last year and drag it out to the top of a fence post, have started to see a few kites around here (suffolk) but only seem to pass through Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisherman Mike Posted March 30, 2014 Report Share Posted March 30, 2014 (edited) The rabbit numbers here are on the decline rapidly!! I have been told that VHD has been released which will devastate the rabbit population. http://www.veterinaryresearch.org/content/43/1/12 VHD virus has in fact been established in Britains wild rabbit populations since 1992 and its so virulent it was a notifiable disease to the then Ministry of Agriculture and Food. I used to do the odd job for a commercial rabbit breeder around that time who had 15,000 rabbits wiped out by it and subsequently packed it in and moved to France. Maff lifted the need to notify the virus after it became uncontrollable and pet rabbits required to be vaccinated.The disease could and possibly is still widespread but as outbreaks are not recorded and many deaths occur underground its difficult to know. But, as with Myxomatosis certain populations have built up immunity, particularly those which may have interbred with domesticated rabbits. Wouldn't it be obtuse if in a few years time we ended up vaccinating wild Rabbits just to stop them dying out in Britain. !! Edited March 30, 2014 by Fisherman Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bear-uk Posted March 30, 2014 Report Share Posted March 30, 2014 Most of the rabbits I shoot are left for the red kites and buzzards. The farmers and gamekeeper round here like the birds well fed just in case they take a fancy to some game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ack-ack Posted March 30, 2014 Report Share Posted March 30, 2014 Yes Mine too...that and the Jackdaw of which I had many as pets when I was a lad...among the most intelligent of birds. I have a real soft spot for corvids. ( though i didnt twenty years ago when they used to pull the heads off my ducklings when they found a gap under the hut) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
washerboy Posted March 31, 2014 Report Share Posted March 31, 2014 I was stood under a red kite watching it hunt about over the weekend in the Scottish Borders. Wonderful birds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.