I have been surprised at the sudden disappearance of the young Buzzard. In fact I have not seen or heard any of the Adult Buzzards for about the same time. I should think that it was at the beginning of this week that I last saw the youngster. I had it on the main Badger webcam sitting on the fence. Maybe one of our viewers saw it, please let me know what day if you did.
I was speaking to a birding person earlier this evening about the Buzzard suddenly disappearing. He thought it odd, but did say that the parent Birds do chase their youngsters away from their territory, and when the Adult Buzzards malt, they can be a little elusive, but is this that time. I cant remember it in other years, although this year was the first that I had one of the youngster on the webcam for as long as I have.
There can various reasons for the sudden disappearance of any Animals or Birds. Birds of Prey have always been a target for Gamekeepers trying to protect the shooting for their employer, many as well as their employers are prosecuted in the courts. Gamekeepers poison dead Rabbits for the Bird of Prey to eat. What a way for them to die. Obviously it really does concern me that one possibility is that the Buzzards have been poisoned or shot. Chris Speering from the Hawk and Owl trust is visiting Denbury on Monday. I will speak to him about the sudden disappearance and take his advice. Another option is to speak to the RSPB.
Some weeks back when I made my views known on Game and Rough shooting, I did not go into the killing of Birds of Prey by poisoning that is done by Gamekeepers to stop Birds of Prey from taking the Game Birds, that are put down for their so called sport. This shows even more why this type of shooting should be banned. Of course Landowners have to control various Animals and Birds or their crops would suffer. Unfortunately most shot for enjoyment, I wonder for why. Very little that is shot is eaten. All the Landowners that I know don’t need the few pence that they would get for a brace of Pheasants or a few Rabbits. I suppose it could be that it is the only way that some try to prove their manhood, sad.
I could be wrong about the disappearance of the Buzzards, and tomorrow they will all be back. I hope so. I will let you know..
Val you must learn to count, there were three Swallows in the nest, when I turned the camera on this morning. Mind you I think two of them have been in and out of the nest all day. I should think that they will all out at some time tomorrow. I will keep the camera panned out so that you can hopefully watch their progress.