Hobbies are spectacular small falcons that summer in the UK. Their welfare is tied to the insects and aerial birds they hunt over heathland and open countryside.
Hobby welfare in the UK is currently relatively good - the species has benefited from warm summers that increase dragonfly abundance and from the recovery of heathland habitat. However, as an aerial insectivore, hobby welfare is vulnerable to the broader decline of flying insects. Years with poor dragonfly emergence following cold, wet springs reduce food availability during the chick-rearing period. Climate change may improve UK breeding conditions but reduce food availability at African wintering sites. Maintaining heathland and wetland habitats that support dragonfly populations is the most relevant welfare action.