Wildlife

Wild Fieldfare Winter Flock Welfare

Fieldfares are large winter thrushes from Scandinavia, dependent on berry crops and open farmland for winter survival.

Key Facts

Fieldfares visit the UK from October to April in flocks of hundreds to thousands
They feed on hawthorn and other hedgerow berries and earthworms in pasture
Berry crop failure causes fieldfares to raid orchards and gardens
Hard winters with snow cover cause significant fieldfare mortality
UK breeding fieldfares are very rare and confined to northern England

Welfare Considerations

Fieldfare welfare in winter depends on berry crop abundance and accessible earthworm pasture. Poor berry years push birds into human-modified habitats where they may be persecuted. The welfare cost of food scarcity compounds with hard weather. Maintaining hedgerow berry resources and open farmland directly supports winter fieldfare welfare.

What You Can Do

Plant hawthorn and other berry shrubs to support winter thrushes
Leave windfall fruit accessible to fieldfares and redwings
Support hedgerow management maintaining berry crops through winter