These fantastic hunting machines have brought awe for thousands of years, and while some in the UK like hen harriers and once-common kestrels face an uncertain future, other like red kites have become a fixture across the land.
Here’s a guide on how to recognise the most common 15 species of birds of prey in the UK.
9. Barn owl
Not often seen, but easy to recognise if it is, a barn owl will most often appear white as it is seen at dusk. It flies silently but emits a piercing shriek as its call. If driving down a country lane at night, you may see one fly ahead of you in your headlights for a while. | Jen Coates
10. Golden eagle
The golden eagle is seen only in Scotland. Birdwatchers often describe it as a “cross stamped in the sky” as its neck and tail appear long as it soars. It is essentially a brown bird, but can look golden in the sun - hence the name. Fun fact: The golden eagles is second biggest of the UK’s birds of prey (beaten only by the reintroduced white-tailed sea eagle which can be seen on the south coast and around the Isle of Wight) | Shutterstock
11. Merlin
Easy to confuse with a kestrel or sparrowhawk, being a small falcon, but look out for its compact, squat shape, short tail and swift flight. Merlins, sadly, are becoming rare, but you will see them in hilly areas during the summer, and in lowland areas during the winter as they move to look for food. Fun fact: merlins are the UK’s smallest bird of prey | RSPB
12. Hobby
Another small falcon, smaller than a kestrel, the hobby is agile and preys on swifts and house martins as well as dragonflies. Like a swift, it appears to have arced wings, and is only seen in the UK in summer as it is migratory. Its other distinctive feature are its bright red 'trousers'. Fun fact: The football game Subbuteo is named after the hobby’s latin name, falco subbuteo, because the game’s inventor could not trademark the word “hobby”. | Canva/Getty Images