UK Wildlife

Merlin Upland Breeding and Conservation

The merlin is the UK's smallest falcon, breeding on upland moorland and declining with the degradation of heather moorland, dependent on invertebrate prey and ground-nesting conditions.

Key Facts

Merlin is the UK's smallest falcon, with a wingspan under 70cm
UK breeding population around 1,300 pairs on upland moorland
Breeds on heather moorland, often nesting in old crow nests in long heather
Feeds mainly on small passerines caught in pursuit in open terrain
Winters on lowland coasts and farmland, less common than breeding range suggests

Welfare Considerations

Merlin declines relate to changes in upland management, particularly loss of diverse age-structure heather moorland. Overburning for grouse management creates homogeneous heather that lacks suitable nest sites. Upland agri-environment schemes supporting heather diversity benefit merlins.

What You Can Do

Support moorland management that maintains diverse heather structure for merlins
Advocate for agri-environment schemes that pay upland farmers for heather management
Record merlin through upland bird surveys to track breeding population trends