This volume investigates the ecological status, behavioral patterns, and conservation requirements of the twenty-four diurnal raptor species native to Britain. Leslie Brown, a recognized authority on raptor biology, synthesizes decades of field observation and scientific data to construct a comprehensive profile of these apex predators. The text argues that understanding the specific environmental pressures and breeding habits of these birds is essential for their continued survival in a changing British landscape.

This work is regarded as a foundational text within the New Naturalist series, valued for its rigorous scientific approach and depth of field observation. It remains a primary reference for ornithologists and naturalists seeking a detailed understanding of British raptor ecology.