The spotted flycatcher is one of Britain's most rapidly declining summer migrants, with populations falling by over 80% since the 1970s. Understanding the reasons for decline helps identify welfare-relevant conservation interventions.
Spotted flycatcher welfare across the annual cycle requires adequate large flying insects for breeding success and survival on wintering grounds in West Africa. The dramatic decline reflects welfare failures at multiple points in the cycle - insufficient invertebrate prey in UK breeding areas and habitat loss in African wintering quarters. Individual breeding pairs that cannot find adequate food for their chicks face reproductive failure. Conservation requires both UK habitat management and international efforts to protect West African wintering habitat.