Fieldfares arrive in the UK from Scandinavia each autumn and depend on berry crops and earthworm-rich pastures for winter survival. Advanced understanding of their welfare needs informs land management recommendations.
Individual fieldfares arriving in the UK face welfare challenges from variable berry crop availability and weather events that freeze the ground and prevent earthworm access. Gardens with berry-bearing shrubs and unfrozen ground provide critical welfare resources. Severe cold snaps without accessible food can cause starvation deaths in affected flocks.