Wildlife

Buzzard Welfare: Common Raptor Still Facing Persecution

Buzzards are now the most common UK raptor but face ongoing persecution from some game shooting interests.

Key Facts

UK buzzard population has recovered to over 70,000 breeding pairs
They were severely reduced by organochlorine pesticides and persecution in the 20th century
Buzzards eat mainly small mammals rabbits and earthworms with occasional carrion
They are often misidentified as eagles due to their large size
Buzzard road mortality increases in spring when adults are distracted by courtship

Welfare Considerations

Buzzards continue to be persecuted on some game estates through illegal trapping, shooting, and poisoning. Rodenticide poisoning from contaminated prey causes anticoagulant poisoning. Winter cold weather reduces earthworm availability and can cause food stress. Electrocution on poorly insulated power poles causes deaths. Persecution incidents cause suffering and reduce breeding success in affected areas.

What You Can Do

Report any suspected persecution of buzzards to police wildlife officers or RSPB
Support Campaign Against Illegal Wildlife Poisoning and raptor persecution campaigns
Advocate for all utility company pole insulation to prevent raptor electrocutions
Join local raptor monitoring groups that track buzzard breeding success
Oppose development that removes woodland nesting territories in areas of low density populations