![]() During two non-breeding seasons (August-March), consumption models using pellet analysis estimated that buzzards ate a total of 242–400 grouse, equivalent to 7–11% of those present at the start of August and 14–33% of estimated grouse mortality during the non-breeding season. This represented 5–11% of adult grouse present in April (22–67% of estimated adult mortality) and 2–5% of chicks that hatched (3–9% of estimated chick mortality). Averaging across diet assessment methods, consumption models estimated that during each of three breeding seasons (April-July 2011–2013), the buzzards foraging on our study site consumed 73–141 adult grouse and 77–185 chicks (depending on year). Whilst grouse consumption by individual buzzards was lower than previous estimates for other raptor species present on our study site, total consumption could be greater given an estimated 55–73 buzzards were present on the study site year-round. We used bioenergetics models that combine measures of buzzard abundance from field surveys with diets assessed by using cameras at nests, prey remains and pellet analysis, to estimate their impact on red grouse Lagopus lagopus scotica on a large (115 km 2) moor managed for red grouse shooting in Scotland. ![]() ![]() However, the magnitude of any impact is poorly understood. The recovery in population and range of common buzzards Buteo buteo in Britain has brought them into conflict with some gamebird interests. Estimating impacts of protected wildlife on economically important prey can also help management decisions to be evidence-led. Yet despite being a major issue for land-managers, estimating total prey losses to predation can be difficult. Human-wildlife conflicts often centre on economic loss caused by wildlife. ![]()
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