Andover charity saving Kestrels in crisis
The Hawk Conservancy Trust are doing everything they can to save the precious species of bird
Once a common sight hovering over fields and grasslands across the UK, the Kestrel—one of Britain’s most recognisable birds of prey—is now in trouble.
Since the late 20th century, populations have declined significantly in some regions, leading to the species being classified as “Amber-listed” in the UK—a sign of serious conservation concern.
Matt from the Hawk Conservancy Trust said: “Over the last few decades, Kestrels have declined quite significantly in the UK, although the decline hasn’t been even. In some areas, they’re doing okay, but in others, we’ve seen worrying drops in numbers. That’s why they’re now Amber-listed as a species of concern.”
The causes of the decline remain unclear.
Experts suggest a mix of factors may be contributing, including habitat loss, reduced prey availability, chemical use in agriculture, and a lack of suitable nesting spaces.
“One of the problems we face is that we don’t know exactly why Kestrels are declining,” Matt says. “There are a number of possible reasons: habitat loss, a fall in prey numbers, or perhaps even chemicals used in farming. It’s likely a combination of things.”
One particularly pressing issue is the loss of nesting sites. Kestrels traditionally nest in natural hollows—like those in trees—or in man-made structures such as barns and bale stacks.
These sites are vanishing due to development, neglect, or competition from other birds like Stock Doves and Jackdaws.
Matt said: “One of the problems we face is that we don’t know exactly why Kestrels are declining.
"There are a number of possible reasons: habitat loss, a fall in prey numbers, or perhaps even chemicals used in farming. It’s likely a combination of things.”
To combat these challenges, the Hawk Conservancy Trust launched its Kestrel Conservation Monitoring Project, part of the wider Raptor Nest Box Project.
Beginning with the installation of 100 nest boxes across 2,240 square kilometres in Hampshire and surrounding counties, the aim was to assess how artificial nesting could impact local Kestrel populations.
Today, the Trust manages around 450 nest boxes, monitoring them for breeding activity and survival rates.
All chicks are ringed for tracking, allowing researchers to follow individuals across their lifespans. The project has expanded to include GPS tracking of adult Kestrels, offering insights into their hunting ranges and behaviour.
“At the Hawk Conservancy Trust, we’ve installed hundreds of nest boxes across a wide area to see how it affects population density,” Matt explains. “We’re also tracking breeding success and using GPS to study their hunting ranges. It’s all part of building a picture of what they need to thrive.”
Monitoring continues through seasonal bird-of-prey surveys, where line transects are used to track not just Kestrels, but Red Kites, Buzzards, and other raptors.
This provides valuable data about population trends before and after breeding seasons, helping conservationists assess environmental health and adapt strategies as needed.
While Kestrel numbers remain a concern, the work being done by the Hawk Conservancy Trust shows there is hope.
By combining habitat protection, nest site support, and long-term monitoring, the future for one of the UK’s most iconic birds of prey is starting to look a little brighter.