Wildlife

Wild Redwing Winter Welfare UK

Conservation and welfare of redwings wintering in the UK, facing cold weather mortality and food scarcity during harsh winters.

Key Facts

Redwings are winter visitors to the UK from Scandinavia and Iceland
Severe winter weather causes significant redwing mortality when ground is frozen
Redwings depend on berries in the first part of winter then switch to earthworms and invertebrates
Planting berry-bearing shrubs including hawthorn and holly supports winter food supply
Cold snaps in late winter are most dangerous when berry crops have been depleted

Welfare Considerations

Redwing welfare during UK winters is determined by food availability and weather severity. Individual birds stranded by severe freezes face starvation. Garden planting of berry-rich shrubs creates food resources that directly reduce welfare emergencies during winter cold snaps.

What You Can Do

Plant berry-bearing native shrubs including hawthorn, holly, and rowan for winter thrushes
Put out apples and raisins during severe winter weather to support redwings and fieldfares
Record winter thrush movements to contribute to population monitoring