Wildlife

Kestrel: The Hovering Falcon in Steep Decline

The kestrel was once Britain most familiar raptor but has declined by 46 percent since the mid-1970s.

Key Facts

Kestrel populations declined by 46 percent between 1975 and 2016
They are the only British bird of prey that habitually hovers
Kestrels can detect ultraviolet light reflected by vole urine enabling them to locate prey
They rely heavily on field voles which require rough unmanaged grassland
Motorway verges provide important hunting habitat in areas of intensive farmland

Welfare Considerations

Kestrels face welfare threats from loss of rough grassland that reduces vole prey. Intensification of motorway verge management has reduced hunting habitat. Secondary rodenticide poisoning is a growing cause of death. Cold winters cause food stress when frozen ground prevents vole detection. Nesting in old buildings and trees depends on maintenance of suitable sites.

What You Can Do

Support rough grassland creation on farms and road verges
Oppose motorway verge management that eliminates rough grass
Advocate for non-rodenticide pest control methods on farms
Install kestrel nest boxes on farmland trees and buildings
Support BTO surveys that monitor kestrel population trends