Wildlife

Wild Wheatear Migration Welfare

Northern wheatears are long-distance migrants that pass through the UK in spring and autumn. Their welfare during migration depends on stopover habitat availability.

Key Facts

Wheatears are among the earliest spring migrants, arriving from late March
They breed on upland moorland and coastal heathland across the UK
Some undertake extraordinary migrations to Alaska from Africa via Europe
Open grassland and coastal habitats with invertebrates are essential stopover habitats
Greenland wheatears pass through the UK during spring and autumn on their longer route

Welfare Considerations

Wheatears on migration need accessible invertebrate food at stopover sites. Habitat degradation reducing invertebrate availability at traditional stopover sites forces birds to fly further, increasing energy costs. Maintaining diverse open grassland habitats at key migration stopover sites supports wheatear welfare during their demanding journeys.

What You Can Do

Record wheatear sightings through BTO BirdTrack during spring and autumn passage
Support coastal and upland grassland management that benefits migratory birds
Participate in migration monitoring citizen science at bird observatories