Analysis of honey buzzard flight directions at Buskett

Abstract

Analysis of autumn sightings of Honey buzzard Pernis apivorus at Buskett made during the period 1974-1978 suggested the existence of a leading line effect in Honet Buzzard migration through Malta. It was hypothesised that more Honey Buzzards follow the south-western coast as the day progresses. In addition, there was evidence which suggested that southerly winds are of a purely local nature, generated by a sea breeze system. In this paper, angular data accumulated during the 1974-78 study period and during sporadic observations in subsequent years (1980-1982) are analysed. A limited amount of supporting evidence for the above hypothesis is presented.