The Eurasian Hobby

Description:

During the 1950s it was believed that the breeding population of Eurasian Hobbies in the UK was no more than 100 pairs. In the years since, the population estimate has risen, though the elusive nature of the falcon means that it is still not clear whether Hobbies remain the least populous of the four British breeding falcons or if its breeding population has now surpassed both the Merlin and the Peregrine. But what is definitely true is that the Hobby has a 'jizz' like no other raptor, its wonderfully fast and agile flight, seen to perfection as it pursues dragonflies and other flying insects, or when chasing avian prey, captivating all who witness its hunting skills.

Hobbies are also remarkable for being one of the very few British breeding birds that migrate south of the Equator, the falcons spending more time in Africa than they do in the UK. These long migratory journeys cover thousands of miles and may involve a crossing of the Sahara Desert as well as the Equatorial Rain Forest. Even more remarkable, young Hobbies make the long journey south just a month or so after hatching, flights that they start many days after their parents have already departed.

The Eurasian Hobby investigates all aspects of the Hobby's life cycle, including breeding and the falcon's flight abilities, that have not been studied in such detail before.