Wildlife

Raptor Diversity and Welfare in the UK

The UK supports a diverse raptor community from kestrels to golden eagles, with each species facing specific welfare threats requiring targeted conservation action.

Key Facts

The UK hosts 15 breeding raptor species including 5 owl species
Peregrine falcons have recovered dramatically from organochlorine pesticide collapse
Golden eagles remain restricted to Scotland with around 500 pairs
Hen harriers are critically threatened by illegal persecution on grouse moors
Red kites now breed across England and Wales following successful reintroduction

Welfare Considerations

Individual raptor welfare is threatened by deliberate persecution including poisoning and shooting, accidental poisoning from lead ammunition and rodenticides, and collision with infrastructure. Each species faces specific threats requiring targeted action. Lead ammunition replacement prevents one of the most significant sources of poisoning across multiple raptor species simultaneously. Enforcing persecution legislation protects individuals from deliberate welfare harm.

What You Can Do

Support lead-free ammunition campaigns to protect raptors from poisoning
Report dead or sick raptors to RSPCA investigations for post-mortem analysis
Participate in raptor monitoring surveys including BTO Breeding Bird Survey
Advocate for strong enforcement of raptor persecution legislation
Donate to species-specific raptor recovery programmes