Hobbies are elegant birds of prey, with slate-grey upper parts, heavy black streaking on buff underparts and chestnut-coloured thighs and vent. The crown is the same colour as the upper parts, and on the face, a dark ‘moustache' contrasts with pale cheeks and throat, and yellow facial skin. Roughly the same size as a kestrel, the long, pointed wings give the impression of a giant swift. They are extremely quick, which allows them to hunt prey such as dragonflies and birds like swallows and martins in mid-flight, which are often consumed on the wing. You can see them in this country from April, when they arrive in the UK from Africa, until October, when they return. Breeding is late, between the end of May and August, which coincides with an…
