Wildlife

UK Hobby Falcon Conservation and Summer Ecology

Conservation of the hobby falcon in UK summer habitats and its specialised prey requirements.

Key Facts

Hobbies arrive in the UK in May and depart by October after breeding
They are specialist hunters of dragonflies, large beetles, and hirundines
UK breeding population has expanded northward as climate has warmed
Heathland, downland, and forest edge habitats support breeding hobbies
Hobbies catch and eat prey in flight using remarkable aerial agility

Welfare Considerations

Individual hobbies depend on abundant aerial insect and swallow prey, with insect decline representing a potential welfare and conservation threat.

What You Can Do

Support heathland and wetland conservation that benefits prey species for hobbies
Record hobby sightings to assist population monitoring
Reduce pesticide use to support the insect populations hobbies depend on