Kestrels are Britain's most familiar falcon, recognisable by their hovering flight. But populations have declined dramatically and their welfare is under severe pressure from food scarcity.
Kestrel welfare is in crisis across much of the UK due to the loss of rough grassland and the vole populations it supports. A kestrel that cannot find sufficient voles during the breeding season will fail to raise chicks - and in severe cases, adults themselves starve. The motorway verge population, while visible and seemingly successful, carries disproportionate mortality risk from road strikes. Maintaining rough, uncut grassland along road verges and on farmland is the single most impactful welfare action for this formerly familiar bird.