UK Wildlife

Kestrel Farmland Decline and Urban Adaptation

The kestrel is familiar for its hovering flight alongside motorways and over rough grassland, but has declined severely on farmland while maintaining urban populations that use buildings to nest.

Key Facts

Kestrel can see ultraviolet light, allowing them to detect vole urine trails in grass
UK breeding population declined by over 50% since 1970s, now around 46,000 pairs
Farmland kestrels have suffered worst declines linked to loss of rough grassland
Urban kestrels nest on buildings and bridges, using the city effectively
Field voles are the primary prey; vole cycle years strongly affect breeding success

Welfare Considerations

Kestrel declines on farmland reflect loss of rough, tussocky grassland where voles are abundant. Intensive grassland management and loss of field margins eliminates kestrel foraging habitat. Nest box programmes provide nest sites where natural holes are lacking.

What You Can Do

Install kestrel nest boxes on farm buildings and poles in farmland
Maintain rough grassland margins on farmland for vole prey availability
Record kestrel through BTO breeding bird survey to track population recovery