Northern wheatears undertake one of the longest migrations of any passerine bird, and their welfare depends on stopover habitat quality.
Wheatears failing to refuel adequately at stopover sites face energy depletion that limits migration success. Short-grazed upland habitats with high invertebrate density are the primary welfare support infrastructure for migrating wheatears. Maintaining these habitats through appropriate grazing management benefits both breeding and migratory welfare.