Scarce bird of prey increasing in Sussex

This bird is much rarer than the Common Buzzard, which is now a regular sight.

Mark Mallalieu of the Sussex Ornithological Society (SOS) said: "The Honey-buzzard is possibly Britain's rarest regularly breeding bird of prey. However, there may be as many as 15 pairs which have bred in the county, having flown here in spring from their wintering grounds in Africa.

"There could have been as many as 55 adult birds in total in breeding habitat over the summer: in the next few weeks it may still be possible to see adults and young birds at the coast as they migrate back to Africa.

"Even a few years ago, no more than seven pairs were found breeding in Sussex.

"The Honey-buzzard mainly eats the larvae of wasps, but also takes frogs. Their preferred habitat is undisturbed mixed woodland and they need relatively warm summers to produce good numbers of wasps, making Sussex an excellent base for their population to expand."

New members are always welcome to join SOS, no matter what their experience in birdwatching.