ROUGH LEGGED BUZZARD
(buteo lagopus)
The
Roughlegged Buzzard is so named because of the covering of
feathers which extends down its legs as far as its toes. It
is a bird of the northern tundra, where it breeds during
the summer, migrating further south to winter quarters.
Britain is at the extreme western end of its migration
range.
The breeding and migration cycle of the Roughlegged Buzzard
is dependent on the small mammal population which comprises
the bulk of its diet. Lemmings are especially important.
During years of glut, Buzzards breed freely during the
summer and so, when the winter mammal population declines,
large numbers of juveniles disperse southwards, resulting
in large influxes into the UK.
FACT
FILE:
LENGTH:
50 - 60cms (19 - 24ins)WINGSPAN:
120- 150cms (47 - 59ins)WEIGHT:
0.7 - 1 .6kg (1Ib 8oz - 31bs 10oz)HABITAT:
Low Iying tundra, but winter visitors to Britain favour
moor land, wetlands, farm land and dunes.