In the UK, alongside an expanding common buzzard population, there is increasing concern of raptor predation at pheasant release pens. Historically, losses of poults to raptor predation has been low, commonly (90 % of shoots) ≤1 % of birds released into pens, representing a small percentage of losses relative to all causes of mortality. A small number of shoots did suffer higher losses, estimated at >5 % at one in 30 estates and >10 % at some estates. Predation was lower (i) with increased poult age at release, (ii) in later releases, (iii) in pens with good vegetative cover, (iv) in pens within woods <50 acres and (v) in releases of <500 birds; there were also indications that predation was greater in high-density releases. Studies found no evidence for indirect losses (i.e. non-predation impacts of raptor activity, e.g. panic-induced smothering events). Mitigation measures include the following: (i) sufficient vegetative cover (supplemented if necessary, e.g. brash piles), (ii) minimise perching opportunities for raptors, (iii) stock older poults, (iv) stock at recommended densities, (v) reflective tape and scaring devices and (vi) diversionary feeding. Significant gaps in knowledge were identified, including (i) predation being incompletely evaluated in the context of contemporary buzzard populations, (ii) indirect effects not adequately studied, (iii) occurrence of ‘problem’ individual buzzards is unclear, (iv) adequate field trials of mitigation measures are lacking and (v) level of gamekeepers’ adherence to industry recommendations not known. Contemporary studies of these issues are necessary to understand the impacts and to inform management of buzzards at pheasant release pens.