The honey-buzzard in Scotland: a rare, secretive and elusive summer visitor and breeder

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2019

Original Publication

The Glasgow naturalist

Volume

27

Series / Issue

Issue: 1

Pages

20-26

Contributed by

Glasgow Natural History Society

Language

English

Published by

Glasgow Glasgow Natural History Society

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37208/tgn27103

 

Abstract

he honey-buzzard (Pernis apivorus) is probably Scotland’s most enigmatic breeding bird of prey. The raptor is extremely difficult to observe, being rare, secretive and elusive. Over the past few years we have discovered two populations of honey-buzzards in central Scotland. Systematic and intensive monitoring of these populations has revealed new information about the species’ annual breeding cycle. In this paper we review the history and distribution of the honey-buzzard in Scotland and summarise the results of our recent studies in central Scotland, which have considerably increased understanding of the species.