Hobbies are elegant migratory falcons breeding in southern England and hunting dragonflies and swallows. Their welfare is linked to prey availability.
Hobby welfare during breeding depends on aerial prey availability. Cold, wet summers reduce dragonfly emergence, causing chick starvation. Disturbing nesting hobbies can cause nest abandonment during the vulnerable fledgling period. Maintaining invertebrate-rich habitats that support dragonfly populations indirectly supports hobby welfare.