As apex predators, birds of prey help regulate the balance of the food chain, contributing to biodiversity and supporting the stability of ecosystems. Protection and conservation of these impactful species has wide-reaching conservation benefits to the environments they live in.

Raptor Aid is a UK-based charity committed to the conservation of birds of prey. Through education, engagement and conservation work, Raptor Aid are helping to create an environment where birds of prey are better understood and their habitats are better protected internationally.

Raptor Aid are actively involved in bird of prey conservation internationally, from peregrine falcon nest monitoring with Eagle Reintroduction Wales, to raptor research in South America, and to conservation of the majestic Philippine eagle on the other side of the world. The support that Raptor Aid provides includes grants, technical training and delivering monitoring programmes.

By sharing their expertise and passion for bird of prey conservation, Raptor Aid advances education on key topics including habitats, conservation and monitoring, ornithology and biology. Through promotion of the benefits of conserving birds of prey and their habitats, Raptor Aid inspires and advances the conservation of these incredible and important species.

Trail cameras provide a window into the lives of birds of prey. NatureSpy are supporting Raptor Aid’s trail camera work through a combination of equipment loans and technical assistance.

Monitoring birds of prey with trail cameras can be challenging, with cameras installed in hard to reach locations - often high off the ground - and every location and different species coming with a unique set of challenges. For example, monitoring peregrine falcons involves abseiling a cliff face to install a camera in the rock, whereas the unique challenge with monitoring hobby falcons is finding a suitable branch to attach a camera to that offers a clear view into the nest.

Through their monitoring work, Raptor Aid are overcoming these types of challenges to get that all-important camera footage, which advances understanding of birds of prey and generates engaging images for education and public engagement. Some of the insights gained from their work with trail cameras include non-invasive monitoring of nests for long durations (e.g. through a breeding season), observing and studying behaviours and revealing lifecycles.