Wildlife

Wild Mistle Thrush Winter Welfare and Mistletoe

Mistle thrushes defend berry-bearing trees in winter as a food resource. This unusual winter territoriality is a welfare adaptation to food scarcity in cold weather.

Key Facts

Mistle thrushes sing in stormy weather - earning the name 'stormcock'
They defend holly, yew and mistletoe trees aggressively against other birds
Their populations have declined by around 40% since the 1970s
Mistle thrush winter territories are often just a single fruit-bearing tree

Welfare Considerations

Mistle thrush welfare depends on berry-bearing trees being retained and not stripped prematurely by other species. Planting native berry trees provides critical winter resources for this declining species.

What You Can Do

Plant holly, yew and hawthorn for winter berry provision
Encourage mistletoe on apple trees by pressing seeds into bark crevices
Record mistle thrush sightings through BTO Garden BirdWatch surveys