Merlin: Britain's Smallest Falcon Welfare Science

Key Welfare Facts

Merlins are the smallest UK falcons, breeding on open moorland and requiring a mosaic of heather and grassland.
Breeding population has declined due to loss of upland moorland through afforestation and overgrazing.
Adults hunt meadow pipits and skylarks close to the ground in rapid, agile pursuit requiring open habitat.
Ground nesting makes eggs and chicks vulnerable to disturbance, flooding, and predation from moorland species.
Moorland management for grouse shooting can benefit merlins through heather management and predator control.
Satellite tagging has revealed migration routes connecting UK breeders to wintering grounds in Southwest Europe.

Welfare Assessment

Merlin welfare depends on upland moorland management that maintains a heather-grassland mosaic with abundant small passerine prey. Supporting organisations managing upland habitats for multiple species and advocating for appropriate moorland management protects this charismatic falcon.

What You Can Do

Support upland moorland conservation organisations managing habitats for multiple species including merlins
Advocate for moorland management that maintains diverse structure benefiting merlins and their prey
Record merlin sightings for national raptor monitoring schemes during breeding and winter
Donate to satellite tracking studies revealing migration routes and key habitat requirements