Wildlife

UK Hobby and Red-Footed Falcon Summer Visitors

Conservation of summer visiting falcons in the UK and their welfare as long-distance migrants.

Key Facts

Hobbies arrive in May and breed across much of England and Wales
Red-footed falcons are rare but regular visitors from eastern Europe each May
Both species feed on aerial insects and small birds
Red-footed falcons often appear at the same migration watchpoints each year
Climate change is enabling hobby populations to expand northward in the UK

Welfare Considerations

Individual hobbies and red-footed falcons face welfare challenges during long migration, with breeding habitat conservation in the UK supporting their welfare during the breeding season.

What You Can Do

Support heathland and farmland conservation that provides hobby breeding habitat
Visit migration watchpoints to record and report rare falcon sightings
Reduce pesticide use to support the insect prey these falcons depend on