Wildlife

Hobby Welfare in British Farmland

The hobby is a fast, elegant falcon that breeds in southern England. It depends on aerial insects and swallows for food, making farmland insect abundance critical to welfare.

Key Facts

Hobbies breed in southern England and winter in sub-Saharan Africa
They catch dragonflies, aerial beetles, and swallows on the wing
Farmland insect declines reduce prey availability for breeding adults and chicks
Nest in old crow nests in isolated trees, vulnerable to disturbance
UK hobby population is stable but dependent on insect-rich habitats

Welfare Considerations

Hobby welfare is linked to aerial insect abundance, which has declined dramatically with agricultural intensification. During the breeding season, chick growth depends on frequent delivery of large insects including hawker dragonflies and dor beetles. Farms with ponds, uncut grass margins, and hedgerow trees support the insect prey base. Avoiding insecticide applications during hobby breeding season benefits prey availability.

What You Can Do

Support Farming for Nature schemes that create insect-rich habitats
Reduce insecticide use in gardens and advocate for farm-level reductions
Create or maintain garden ponds to support dragonfly populations
Report hobby sightings to BTO to track distribution changes