Wild Song Thrush Farmland Decline

Song thrush populations have declined by approximately 50% in the UK since the 1970s. The causes include agricultural change, habitat loss and predation. Garden and farmland management can support recovery.

Key Facts

Song thrushes declined rapidly during the 1970s-1980s, coinciding with agricultural intensification
They depend on moist soil with accessible earthworms and snails, as well as fruiting shrubs in autumn
Hard anvil stones where thrushes break snail shells are behavioural indicators of territory quality
Garden slug pellet use and soil compaction reduce invertebrate food availability in suburban habitats
Song thrush populations have partially stabilised in some regions but remain below historical levels

Welfare Considerations

Song thrush welfare depends on moist, invertebrate-rich habitat that agricultural drainage and pesticide use have degraded. Garden management choices including avoiding slug pellets directly support thrush welfare.

What You Can Do

Avoid using slug pellets and pesticides in gardens, which reduce song thrush food supply
Create moist garden areas with leaf litter and mulch to support earthworm populations
Record song thrush breeding and abundance through BTO garden and farmland surveys