Wildlife Welfare

Wild Kestrel Urban Nesting and Welfare

Kestrels are adapting to urban environments across the UK, using buildings as nest sites and exploiting urban prey, with nest box provision supporting this welfare-positive urban colonisation.

Key Facts

Kestrels are the most common raptor to nest in urban areas in the UK
Building ledges and old crow nests in urban trees provide nesting opportunities
Prey availability - especially short-tailed field voles in rough grassland - determines breeding success
Nest boxes on appropriate buildings are readily adopted by urban kestrels
Urban kestrel populations provide ecosystem services including rodent control

Welfare Considerations

Urban kestrels that successfully raise young experience the welfare benefits of successful reproduction and the food security that comes with urban prey availability. Nest box provision removes one of the limiting factors for urban kestrel population growth. Urban rough grassland management - particularly leaving areas for field voles - supports the prey base that kestrels and their chicks depend on.

What You Can Do

Install kestrel nest boxes on appropriate buildings in urban areas
Maintain rough grassland areas to support vole prey for urban raptors
Report kestrel nesting activity to local wildlife recording schemes