The European Honey-buzzard is a summer visitor to Europe from its African wintering grounds with ten to twelve pairs breeding in Britain annually. In spring it is a late arriver in May/June and leaving by mid-September. European Honey-buzzards were common and nested regularly in the county's northern woods but apparently disappeared suddenly. The last recorded breeding was in the middle of the 19th century, but Rev.W.A.Shaw saw one on 26/09/1905 (site unknown), and reported that the keepers saw a pair throughout the summer. There have been only six other 20th century records all since 1969.