Common buzzards have made a remarkable recovery from restricted range to become the UK's most numerous raptor, demonstrating the impact of legal protection and prey availability on raptor welfare.
Buzzards are still illegally poisoned and shot, particularly in eastern England on game-managed land. Secondary poisoning from rodenticides affects buzzards scavenging on poisoned small mammals. Persecution hotspots identified by satellite tracking reveal areas of ongoing illegal killing. Despite recovery, buzzard welfare remains threatened by illegal persecution that targeted individuals experience as acute trauma.