Density, number and habitat use of Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo) wintering in the lowlands of Bulgaria

National survey on density, number and habitat use of Common Buzzards wintering in the lowlands (under 650 m a.s.l.) of Bulgaria was conducted in January 2006. Combined method of road count survey with point count technique modified by Distance analysis was applied. A total of 174 point transects were made and 501 Common Buzzards were registered. The frequency of species was 74.7% and the relative density was 0.34 ind./km2. The resulting number of wintering population of Common Buzzards in Bulgaria was therefore between 17 928 and 26 876 ind. There was significant difference in frequency and density between Northern and Southern parts of the country, and also between NE and NW Bulgaria. The wintering Common Buzzards had aggregated distribution with preference for agriculture lands and avoidance of forested areas.