Wildlife

Wild Redwing Winter Arrival Welfare

Redwings are winter migrants arriving from Scandinavia and Iceland, feeding on berries and invertebrates. Cold weather causes welfare challenges for this species.

Key Facts

Redwings are the UK's most abundant winter thrush, with millions arriving each autumn
Night migrants, they are often heard flying over towns on calm clear October nights
They feed on rowan, hawthorn, and holly berries in winter
Hard weather forces redwings to gardens seeking supplementary food
Mortality during cold snaps can be significant

Welfare Considerations

Redwings in hard winters rapidly deplete accessible berry crops and face starvation when ground invertebrates are also unavailable. Garden feeding with soft fruits and fallen apples supports individual redwing welfare during cold periods. Maintaining berry-producing shrubs provides essential winter food across the landscape.

What You Can Do

Provide soft fruits and fallen apples in gardens during cold periods for redwings
Plant berry-producing native shrubs including rowan and hawthorn
Record redwing winter flocks through BTO BirdTrack