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Worldwide there are 240 species of the family Accipitridae, which includes the Old World Vultures, Harriers, Hawks, Eagles and Kites, and 64 species of Falcon. Ospreys belong to a family of just 1. In Cornwall they can be seen around estuaries during migration. Of the Vultures, only Griffon and Egyptian have been seen in the UK, and then only on very rare occasions. White-tailed Eagle has been successfully re-introduced to the Scottish island of Rum and now breeds on Mull. Golden Eagle is a scarce Scottish resident but no longer breeds in England. A "Goldie" was seen over Stithians Reservoir in March 2009, being mobbed by a Buzzard; the first record in Cornwall since 1812. Red Kites have been successfully re-introduced to various parts of the UK, and Black Kite is a rare vagrant. Three species of Harrier breed in this country ... Hen, Marsh and Montagu's, and the Pallid Harrier is a very rare vagrant. Common Buzzard is very abundant in the West of England, Wales and Scotland. Honey Buzzard is a rare breeder and Rough-legged Buzzard, a winter passage bird. Eurasian Sparrowhawks are common over most of the UK with an increasing population of Northern Goshawk. Of the Falcons, only Common Kestrel is abundant over all of the UK, but Peregrine Falcons are returning to most of their pre-biocide areas. Two other falcons breed here, Merlin and Hobby. Red-footed Falcon is an almost annual visitor to Britain and Gyr is also seen most years. Eleonora's Falcon is a very rare vagrant from the Mediterranean. A Saker Falcon, originating from Eastern Europe, was seen in the west of Cornwall a few years ago, but it's not on the British list yet.
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