Wild Hobby Falcon Welfare | Animal Welfare Hub

The hobby is a spectacular small falcon that summers in Britain, feeding on dragonflies and aerial insects. Its welfare depends on prey availability, nesting habitat, and conditions on migration.

Key Facts

Hobbies are summer visitors to the UK, arriving in May and departing by October
UK hobby populations have increased slightly to approximately 2,000-3,000 pairs as the climate has warmed
They are fast, agile fliers that hunt dragonflies, swallows, swifts, and large insects on the wing
Hobbies often nest in old crow nests in isolated trees at the edges of farmland
Chick welfare depends critically on prey availability during the breeding season

Welfare Considerations

Hobby welfare in the UK is relatively good compared to many migratory species, with a stable or slightly increasing population. Key welfare risks include prey insect decline from pesticide use reducing dragonfly and large insect populations. During migration, hobbies cross the Sahara and travel to sub-Saharan Africa, where they are exposed to hunting and habitat loss. Climate change is shifting hobby arrival dates and may cause mismatches with peak insect prey availability during breeding.

What You Can Do

Create or maintain dragonfly habitat by preserving and restoring ponds and wetlands
Reduce pesticide use in gardens and advocate for reduced agricultural pesticide use
Support migratory raptor conservation organizations working on the hobby's African wintering range
Report hobby sightings to local bird recording groups to contribute to population monitoring