Kestrel
Falco tinnunculus
Overview
The Kestrel is Britain's most recognisable bird of prey — the one hovering motionless at the roadside, tail fanned, head completely still while the body tilts in the wind. On the Sefton Coast the open dune grassland provides ideal hunting habitat. The male is a beautiful bird — chestnut back with black spots, grey head, grey tail. Once the most common falcon in Britain, it's now red-listed due to declining vole populations on intensively farmed land. The dune system gives it better hunting grounds than many parts of England.
At a Glance
| Order | Falconiformes |
| Family | Falconidae |
| Habitat | Open dune grassland · Farmland · Rough grassland · Coastal heath |
| Diet | Short-tailed voles (primary), small mammals, birds, large insects |
| UK population | Around 46,000 pairs; red-listed due to significant long-term decline |
| Sefton Coast | Resident; regular over dune grassland throughout the Sefton Coast year-round |
| Conservation | UK Red List |
Where to See It
Dune grassland at Formby and Ainsdale; roadside verges along the coast road; farmland behind the sea wall.
Identification
Slim falcon. Male: chestnut back, grey head and tail, spotted. Female: brown, barred. Distinctive hovering behaviour — holds position into wind with rapid wingbeats, fanned tail and absolutely still head. Black wingtips.
Viewing & Photography Tips
Drive slowly along the coast road or walk any stretch of open dune grassland — Kestrels are regularly seen hovering. The absolute stillness of the head while hovering is remarkable to watch.
Conservation Status
UK Red List
This species is on the UK Red List for Birds (BoCC5), indicating serious concern about its population decline or unfavourable conservation status. Monitoring this species on the Sefton Coast contributes to national population tracking.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a Kestrel hold itself so still while hovering?
A Kestrel's hovering stability is achieved by a combination of precise wing and tail adjustments and an inner-ear mechanism that keeps the head absolutely still — the body rocks in the wind but the head is locked onto the prey. The bird uses ultraviolet light (invisible to us) to track vole urine trails in the grass below.
Related Species
Plan your visit to the Sefton Coast
Marshside RSPB, Formby pinewoods, Ainsdale NNR — practical guides to getting there, what to bring, and the best spots for each season.