Kestrels are one of our best known bird of prey; a familiar sight hovering over the side of the road, on the lookout for small mammals like field voles which are their favourite food. Kestrels are a little smaller than a pigeon and can be found in all kinds of habitats from open countryside to towns and villages. They nest in holes in trees, old buildings and abandoned crows nests, laying between four and five eggs, which both parents will feed when hatched.
During the past 40 years kestrel numbers have declined by 25% in the UK, probably as a result of the intensification of agriculture reducing the availability of their small mammal prey. The Wildlife Trusts are working closely with farmers and landowners to promote wildlife-friendly practices. We are working towards a 'Living Landscape': a network of habitats and wildlife corridors across town and country which are good for both wildlife and people. You can support this greener vision for the future by joining your local Wildlife Trust.
