Wildlife Conservation

Wild Hobby Falcon: Aerial Predator Welfare

Hobby falcons are summer migrants that breed in southern England, feeding on dragonflies and swallows caught in spectacular aerial pursuits. Their welfare depends on insect and swallow abundance.

Key Facts

Hobbies arrive from sub-Saharan Africa in May and depart in September
They breed in tall trees at woodland edges adjacent to open hunting habitat
Dragonflies and swallows form the bulk of the hobby diet during the breeding season
UK breeding population is estimated at approximately 2,500 pairs and appears stable
Hobbies sometimes steal prey from other raptors in impressive aerial pursuits

Welfare Considerations

Hobby welfare depends on abundant dragonfly populations in wetland areas and swallow populations in farmland - both affected by habitat quality and invertebrate abundance. Conservation of hunting habitat supports hobby welfare.

What You Can Do

Support dragonfly pond creation and wetland restoration that benefits hobby food supply
Record hobby sightings through BTO surveys to support population monitoring
Visit wetland reserves in summer to observe hobby hunting behaviour