Eurasian Hobby Welfare and Aerial Insect Decline

The Eurasian hobby is a small, dashing falcon that catches dragonflies and swifts in aerial pursuit, and its welfare is tied to the abundance of large flying insects and the open habitats where it hunts.

Key Facts

Hobbies have expanded northward in Britain since the 1970s, now breeding regularly in northern England and Scotland
They arrive in Britain in May and depart by October, wintering in sub-Saharan Africa
Hobbies are specialist hunters of large insects including dragonflies, and small birds such as swifts and swallows
They often breed in old crow nests in woodland adjacent to open heathland and wetlands
The species is highly sensitive to insect abundance, making it an indicator of flying insect community health

Welfare Considerations

Hobby welfare is directly linked to the abundance of large flying insects, particularly dragonflies, which are themselves dependent on clean, productive freshwater ecosystems. Declines in flying insect biomass driven by insecticide use, light pollution, and habitat loss reduce the prey available to hunting hobbies. Nest site availability in old corvid nests depends on woodland management that retains appropriate tree structure. The species welfare integrates across freshwater, woodland, and farmland ecosystem quality.

What You Can Do

Support dragonfly conservation through the British Dragonfly Society and wetland restoration
Reduce insecticide use in gardens and advocate for pesticide-free farmland buffers
Contribute hobby breeding records to BTO Breeding Bird Survey
Maintain woodland edges and old corvid nests as potential hobby nest sites
Back light pollution reduction programs that support nocturnal insect emergence