Wildlife Welfare

Wild Fieldfare Winter Welfare

Fieldfares are large thrushes wintering in UK from Scandinavia that depend on berry crops and pasture invertebrates for winter food, gathering in flocks in farmland.

Key Facts

Fieldfares arrive from Scandinavia and Russia in October in flocks of hundreds to thousands
They feed on hawthorn and holly berries and soil invertebrates in pasture fields
Hard winters cause fieldfares to strip berry crops rapidly and move to gardens
Climate change is altering fieldfare movement patterns and winter distribution
UK breeding is very rare with main populations wintering rather than breeding

Welfare Considerations

Fieldfare welfare during UK winter depends on berry crop abundance and access to invertebrate-rich grassland. The loss of traditional orchards and reduction in berry-bearing hedgerows reduces food availability for these colourful winter visitors, making habitat management an indirect welfare intervention.

What You Can Do

Plant native berry-bearing trees and shrubs to support winter thrush welfare
Leave windfall apples in your garden or orchard for winter thrushes including fieldfares
Report fieldfare flocks to WeBS or BTO surveys to support winter bird monitoring