This is a much-needed and authoritative account of Common Buzzards gained from extensive studies by the author over 60 years and also from enthusiasts in this country and across northern Europe.
The accounts describe the life history and ecology of Buzzards mainly inhabiting the British uplands where historically they have always been most numerous. For the first time, population activities are followed through successive seasonal stages of their life cycle. These include the vital and inter-related aspects of Buzzard territories and social behaviour, diets and hunting methods, food requirements, prey abundance and breeding success, survival and life spans and how Buzzard numbers and distribution have changed, particularly in relation to the influence of Man. The book also demonstrates how well Buzzards have adapted to living in our modern and rapidly-changing landscapes, constantly adapting their habits in response to prey resources and environmental conditions.
In the book’s first section, The Year of the Buzzard, the sequential changes in the composition and behaviour of a Buzzard community, their seasonal patterns of food habits and hunting methods, their breeding season from courtship until fledging of broods and their subsequent dispersal are outlined. The second section, Special Topics, provides greater detail of six key aspects of their ecology which are explored within the following chapter topics: Territory; Energy and Food Needs; Predation; Food Supply and Breeding Success; Demography and Population Dynamics; and Changes in Buzzard Abundance.
‘...a joy to read in the best traditions of natural history writing. The author’s knowledge and passion for the subject comes through without detracting from the detail of work. ...I hope the book is widely read and the buzzard’s wide-ranging and adaptive ecology is fully understood’. ECOS
‘...a very comprehensive insight into the life and ecology of Buzzards. ...is easy to follow and caters for both the scientist and amateur birdwatcher with an interest in the species. There really are so many interesting facts here and throughout the book, which is full of informative graphs and charts. ...the wealth of information this book contains, and the only way you can see for yourself is to get a copy; I thoroughly recommend it’. Devon Birds
‘…will be of interest to a wide range of readers. With almost 300 pages, divided into 15 chapters, it takes you through the life of buzzards throughout the four seasons. I have to say I found it a fascinating read. This is a book which I’m sure I will refer to again. …it’s well worth the read for anyone with an interest in birds, let alone the common buzzard.’ Dumfries & Galloway Life
‘I found the book immensely readable and full of snippets on behaviour. I thoroughly recommend the book…’ Birds in Wales
‘I found the book immensely readable and full of interesting snippets on behaviour. … I thoroughly recommend the book…’ Welsh Ornithological Society Journal
‘…no raptor enthusiast in France can afford to ignore this accumulation of experience and detailed observation if he wishes to understand intimately the behaviour of this the most common of our raptors, and to understand the changes in its populations. It is also a rich source of comparisons, subjects for study and of basic field techniques that many today have tended to forget or to neglect’. Rapaces de France
‘…a readable and informative account of the Buzzard’s year with extensive sections on food, demography and population. Anyone…with an interest in birds of prey, will enjoy this book… I found it a fascinating read’. Scottish Birds
'I would warmly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in this species. ...it is a fascinating read and I don't doubt that everyone who picks it up will learn something of interest'. BTO News
‘His enthusiasm and ability in conveying his labour of love…is infectious and there are gems of information on most pages of this well-illustrated book. …a work which will surely inspire others to begin studies of a creature close to their hearts’. Swindon Advertiser
‘An extensive study of Britain’s most common bird of prey. … It’s an authoritative account written by a man with 60 years of experience studying the bird’. The Great Outdoors
‘…I love this book… The inclusion of tables and figures, with data from the 1950s through the 2000s, is a much-appreciated bonus. … This book is truly an inspirational successor to Colin Tubb’s The Buzzard, published as long ago as 1974’. British Birds
'...a very readable and informative book about our most abundant raptor...' Natur Cymru
‘…an authoritative and well illustrated account of surely our most abundant and most easily recognisable bird of prey’. Pembrokeshire Life
‘Whittles Publishing has published several great raptor books over the last years. This is my favourite so far and I highly recommend it to everyone interested in the Common Buzzards in particular but also raptors or birds in general’. European Raptors
‘This detailed and scientific account helps redress the balance, and its wealth of data will be invaluable to the serious ornithologist, whether amateur or professional’. Scotland Outdoors
'...it is an authoritative and comprehensive account of buzzards and it will appeal to many people... ...if you really want to know all ther is about Buteo buteo, this will be a worthwhile addition to your collection'. The Falconers & Raptor Conservation Magazine
'...a good read...' Birdwatching
‘…a comprehensive study of a very familiar bird… …a scholarly treatment after a great deal of study and we should be grateful for such dedication…for he has much to tell us. This is an important book, of an important study of widespread raptor’. Fatbirder.com
‘…an encyclopaedic account of everything a bird enthusiast would want to know about the common buzzard. …there are many revelations… There are few books that cover a single species in as much detail, and it is a book that will definitely appeal to birders and raptor specialists’. Alan Stewart, Wildlife Detective
‘…a detailed and authoritative account of all aspects of the life of the species. …should appeal to anyone with an interest in birds. It is crammed full of information, graphs and charts… …the fascinating information and research in this book… It is ideal for anyone interested in the natural world’. Kevin Crowe, Am Bratach
‘…a riveting read… …this book is very welcoming. …very readable… The depth of knowledge of the author… This is a book for naturalists of all ages and experiences… You must have this on your bookshelf’. Ray Collier, Highland News Group
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