Wildlife

UK Hobby Conservation: Summer Raptor Welfare

The hobby is a spectacular migratory falcon that visits the UK in summer, with welfare tied to dragonfly and swallow prey availability.

Key Facts

Hobbies arrive in the UK in May and depart in September for sub-Saharan African wintering grounds
They are specialist aerial hunters of dragonflies and large insects, supplemented by small birds including swallows
UK hobby populations have expanded northward in recent decades, possibly linked to climate change
Illegal persecution and loss of heathland and wetland feeding habitat are ongoing welfare threats

Welfare Considerations

Individual hobby welfare is affected by the availability of dragonfly and large insect prey, which is in turn dependent on wetland habitat quality and insect population health. Supporting wetland restoration and insect-friendly land management indirectly supports hobby welfare throughout their summer range.

What You Can Do

Support wetland conservation projects that maintain dragonfly populations
Report illegal raptor persecution to wildlife crime authorities
Engage with raptor monitoring schemes that track hobby population trends