Project Honey Buzzard: A Pioneering Effort for Bird Conservation 

In the project Honey Buzzard (Bivråk), honey buzzards were tracked using satellite transmitters throughout their entire life cycle, from hatching in Finland to wintering in Africa. The collected data was used to specifically study the species’ migration and habitat selection. 
 
The project was initiated at Novia University of Applied Sciences in 2011 by Dr.Patrik Byholm. At that time, no one had previously studied honey buzzards in this way, which meant there was a knowledge gap about their migration patterns. Similar research had been done on larger birds, such as cranes, but thanks to technological advancements, it was now possible to attach satellite transmitters to slightly smaller bird species like honey buzzards. Thus, the project became a groundbreaking project not only in Finland but throughout Europe, delivering a large amount of valuable data. 
 
The work was carried out in collaboration with researchers from the Netherlands, Germany, South Africa, and other Finnish universities, making the project a global effort. Thanks to the project, Byholm has established contacts in several countries in Africa and Europe, which has been crucial for spreading knowledge about the protection of endangered birds. 
 
The results from the project are particularly useful for bird conservation. The material reveals the threats birds face during their migration routes, which helps prevent fatalities. The most common threats include collisions with wind turbines and shooting. 
 
To prevent bird collisions with wind turbines, these can be shut down for short periods when migratory birds pass by. Data from the project Honey Buzzard has been used by French researchers to create a model that wind power companies can use to calculate when wind turbines should be shut down to prevent fatalities. 
 
Approximately 20 percent of the observed deaths are caused by humans, often by purposeless shooting. With the help of the project’s data, it has been possible to determine how many of the tracked birds are shot, and information is spread to counteract hunting. Byholm, who still works with research into bird migration patterns, is in contact with bird protection organizations abroad that locally help spread the message about the protection of migratory birds. 
 
The birds tracked during the project also moved private individuals and engaged news agencies worldwide. Byholm reports that he has received emails with pictures of the satellite-tagged birds from different parts of the world, and several news articles about them have been written both in Finland and abroad. 
 
The project formally ended in 2020, but its legacy lives on and continues to grow. Since the material does not become outdated, it can be reused for new research purposes. The original material and research results from the project form the basic research that many other projects are now building on, enabling a long-term positive impact on the protection of not only honey buzzards but also other endangered bird species. 
 
Our RDI Spotlight highlights the lasting impact of Novia University of Applied Sciences' research, development, and innovation (RDI) efforts on the world around us.