Wildlife

UK Hobby Hunting Behaviour and Welfare

The remarkable hunting behaviour of hobbies in UK summer habitats and welfare of this agile falcon.

Key Facts

Hobbies can outfly swallows and swifts, catching them in aerial pursuit
They transfer prey from talons to bill while in flight without landing
Dragonflies are captured and eaten in flight during summer abundance
Hobbies hunt most actively during morning and evening when prey is active
Individual hobbies return to the same breeding territories each year

Welfare Considerations

Individual hobbies depend on abundant aerial prey including swallows and dragonflies, with insect and hirundine population health directly affecting their welfare and breeding success.

What You Can Do

Support heathland and wetland habitats that support dragonfly prey for hobbies
Reduce pesticide use to maintain flying insect populations hobbies depend on
Record hobby sightings to assist distribution monitoring