Wildlife

UK Wheatear Welfare: Long-Distance Migrant Conservation

Overview of wheatear welfare as one of the first spring migrants and long-distance travellers.

Key Facts

Wheatears are among the first spring migrants to arrive in the UK
They breed on upland moors, coastal grassland, and downland
Wheatears undertake remarkable migrations including to Greenland and Alaska populations
Rabbit warrens and dry stone walls provide nest sites for wheatears
Climate change is affecting insect prey availability at breeding sites

Welfare Considerations

Wheatear welfare spans UK breeding habitats and sub-Saharan African wintering grounds. As one of the first spring arrivals, wheatears signal the season's change while depending on insect availability for breeding success. Nest site availability through rabbit warrens and stone walls affects breeding welfare. Climate change is an emerging welfare threat through altered prey phenology. Conservation in UK breeding habitats and international flyway protection are both needed.

What You Can Do

Record wheatear spring arrivals through BTO BirdTrack as an early migrant indicator
Support upland habitat management providing wheatear breeding habitat
Engage with international migratory bird conservation across the full flyway