Wildfire Threats to Britain’s Raptors
British wildlife faces a growing danger as wildfires scorch landscapes across the country. In a recent report, the National Trust warns that red kites, kestrels, and barn owls are among the species most at risk from uncontrolled fires. These predators and scavengers occupy essential roles in ecosystems, from controlling rodent populations to helping recycle carrion, and their decline could reverberate through local food webs.
Why Raptors Are Particularly Vulnerable
Red kites, kestrels, and barn owls often hunt or scavenge across open fields, hedgerows, and wood margins—habitats that can become tinder during dry spells. When wildfires erupt, these birds face multiple threats:
- Direct harm from flames and smoke that can injure or kill individuals during foraging or nesting periods.
- Habitat loss as charred ground and burnt vegetation reduce prey availability and nesting sites.
- Disruption of food chains because small mammals and carrion feeders are displaced, changing the balance of the ecosystem these raptors rely on.
The National Trust’s Findings
The National Trust emphasizes that the risk is not only immediate but also long-term. Post-fire recovery of habitats can take years, during which food resources may be scarce and nesting sites unstable. The report urges land managers to incorporate wildfire resilience into conservation planning, including:
- Protecting and restoring hedgerows and wetland margins that can serve as refuges and food sources after fires.
- Creating mosaic landscapes that reduce the spread of flames and provide safer foraging routes for birds.
- Monitoring affected raptor populations to detect declines early and guide intervention efforts, such as supplemental feeding where appropriate and safe under supervision.
What This Means for Conservation Efforts
Conservationists say that reducing wildfire risk requires a coordinated approach across sectors. Specific actions include better land management practices, investment in early fire prevention technologies, and community engagement to report fires quickly. For raptors, protecting nesting territories during high-risk periods is crucial, as is maintaining prey populations through habitat restoration. The National Trust’s report also highlights the interconnectedness of fire regimes with broader biodiversity goals, reminding us that safeguarding keystone species like red kites has ripple effects for entire ecosystems.
What You Can Do
Members of the public can help by reporting suspicious fires promptly, supporting habitat restoration projects, and respecting local guidelines during dry conditions. Garden and landowners can reduce fire risk by clearing dry vegetation around properties, maintaining firebreaks, and encouraging wildlife-friendly practices that support prey species for raptors. Even small actions—planting native hedgerows, managing burrow sites, and creating mini-wetlands—can contribute to more resilient landscapes where red kites and other birds of prey can thrive despite wildfires.
As climate change increases wildfire frequency in some regions, the insights from the National Trust serve as a timely reminder: protecting Britain’s raptors means protecting the habitats and landscapes they depend on. Proactive planning, community involvement, and sustained conservation efforts will be essential to keep red kites, kestrels, and barn owls soaring for generations to come.
