Wildlife

Wild Migratory Songbird Stopover: Garden Welfare Support

Migrating birds stopping in gardens during autumn and spring benefit from food, water, and vegetation providing shelter.

Key Facts

Gardens on south coast form critical stopovers for exhausted migrants crossing the English Channel
Redwings, fieldfares, and migrant warblers use garden habitats during autumn and spring passage
Berry-bearing native shrubs including hawthorn and holly provide essential autumn migrant food
Water availability in gardens is critical during dry autumn migration periods

Welfare Considerations

Exhausted migrants that cannot find food and water during stopover face deteriorating condition and failed onward migration. Garden provisioning of berry sources, water, and appropriate cover directly reduces mortality during this vulnerable period of migrant birds' annual cycle.

What You Can Do

Plant native berry-bearing shrubs including hawthorn, elder, and holly for migrating birds
Provide fresh water year-round for drinking and bathing by migrants
Report migrant sightings to BTO BirdTrack to contribute to migration monitoring