Hobby

Speed and agility

The hobby is among the fastest and most agile of British birds of prey. Its long, pointed wings and streamlined body allow it to accelerate rapidly and manoeuvre at high speed — it regularly catches swallows, swifts, and house martins in flight, which is no small feat. It also hunts large dragonflies, snatching them in its talons then transferring them to its bill to eat on the wing, one of the few raptors capable of eating while flying.

Dragonfly specialist

In summer, hobbies are strongly associated with wetlands where emperor dragonflies and other large species are abundant. They hunt systematically over water, lakes, and heathland pools, seizing dragonflies with precision. This specialisation means their arrival in Britain coincides with the emergence of large dragonflies in May, and their departure in September follows the end of the dragonfly season.

Stolen nests

Hobbies do not build their own nests — they take over the old nests of crows, magpies, or sparrowhawks. Finding a suitable old nest is a significant part of the breeding season challenge. Pairs prospect several old nests before choosing. Eggs are laid in June or July, later than most British raptors, timed so that the young hatch when young swallows and martins are fledging and learning to fly — easy prey for the parent hobbies.

British distribution

Once confined to the heathlands of southern England, the hobby has expanded its range northward in recent decades, probably in response to climate warming and improved prey availability. It now breeds across much of England and into Wales and Scotland. The southern heathlands remain the stronghold, with the New Forest and Dorset heaths holding significant populations.