Wildlife

Wild Song Thrush Farmland Decline

Song thrush populations have declined by 50% in the UK, with agricultural intensification and loss of winter food being primary drivers.

Key Facts

UK song thrush population declined by approximately 53% between 1970 and 2019
They require a mosaic of grassland for earthworm feeding and scrub for nesting
Hard winters significantly reduce song thrush populations that cannot migrate
Snails, earthworms, and berries form the basis of their diet
Garden populations are more stable than farmland populations

Welfare Considerations

Song thrushes face welfare challenges from habitat loss limiting food availability, particularly in winter when earthworms become inaccessible in frozen ground. Garden populations that receive supplementary water for anvil use (snail smashing) and retain earthworm-rich lawns experience better welfare. Farmland populations face greater pressure from agricultural intensification.

What You Can Do

Maintain a lawn with earthworm habitat and a shallow dish of water for song thrushes
Record song thrush sightings via BTO Garden BirdWatch
Support hedgerow and berry-producing shrub planting in farmland conservation schemes