Wildlife

Hobby Welfare and Breeding Success in the UK

How dragonfly and swift prey availability supports hobby welfare and breeding success.

Key Facts

Hobbies are summer falcons — nesting in old crow nests in trees near open water
They catch dragonflies and swifts on the wing with remarkable aerial agility
UK populations have expanded northwards — likely aided by dragonfly abundance increases
Long-distance migrants from Sub-Saharan Africa — arriving in May and departing August

Welfare Considerations

Hobby welfare depends on abundant aerial insect prey — particularly dragonflies near breeding territories. Wetland restoration that increases dragonfly populations directly benefits hobby welfare. Swift abundance is also a prey welfare link — hobby populations benefit from maintaining swift prey at breeding sites. Welfare-informed land management near breeding territories avoids disturbance during the June-July breeding period.

What You Can Do

Support wetland restoration that benefits dragonfly populations — a prey welfare benefit for hobbies
Report hobby sightings to county bird recording groups to track population expansion
Avoid disturbing woodland near open water during June-July — hobby nesting is sensitive to disturbance