Merlin Welfare on UK Upland Moors: Small Falcon Conservation

Merlins are the UKs smallest falcon, breeding on upland heather moorland and facing welfare challenges from habitat degradation and prey availability.

Key Facts

Merlins are the smallest raptor breeding in the UK
They hunt meadow pipits and other small birds across open moorland
UK breeding population is around 1300 pairs concentrated in upland areas
They often nest on the ground in long heather or use old crow nests in trees
Grouse moor management can benefit merlins through heather burning creating diverse structure

Welfare Considerations

Merlin welfare depends on abundant meadow pipit prey in structurally diverse upland habitats. Overgrazing by deer and sheep reduces heather cover and pipit density. Climate change is affecting upland habitats with increased rainfall and vegetation change. Individual merlins show site fidelity, with territory loss causing displacement to poorer habitats. Cold, wet breeding seasons reduce hunting success and chick survival, causing starvation in the most vulnerable individuals. Welfare outcomes improve in habitats with diverse heather age structure supporting high meadow pipit densities.

What You Can Do

Support upland land management that maintains heather structure and diversity
Back RSPB and NatureScot merlin population monitoring programmes
Advocate for sympathetic heather management on grouse moors
Encourage deer and sheep grazing management to protect heather cover
Report merlin sightings to BTO for population trend monitoring