Wildlife

Merlin Welfare on UK Upland Moors

Merlins are the UKs smallest breeding falcon, dependent on heather moorland for breeding and facing welfare challenges from grouse moor management and prey decline.

Key Facts

Merlins are the UK's smallest falcon with a wingspan of about 55 cm
They breed primarily on upland heather moorland and winter on lowland farmland
Their populations are affected by illegal persecution on grouse moors
Meadow pipit, their primary prey, is declining on upland moors
They are amber-listed as a bird of conservation concern in the UK

Welfare Considerations

Illegal poisoning and trapping on grouse moors causes direct mortality. Prey decline from reduced meadow pipit numbers causes nutritional stress. Heather management burning reduces tall heather cover preferred for nesting. Climate change is causing vegetation shifts affecting heather coverage at high altitude. Winter habitat on arable farmland is degrading with reduced invertebrate prey for meadow pipits.

What You Can Do

Support investigations of illegal raptor persecution on grouse moors
Donate to RSPB upland moorland management programs
Advocate for licensing of driven grouse shooting linked to wildlife crime rates
Support upland meadow pipit habitat programs
Engage with Natural England on merlin population monitoring