Conservation and welfare of stonechats and wheatears in UK upland and coastal habitats.
Key Facts
Wheatears are early migrants arriving from March, one of the first summer visitors
Stonechats are resident in coastal and upland areas, with populations fluctuating with winters
Both species breed on open moorland, heathland, and coastal clifftops
Wheatears use abandoned rabbit burrows and stone walls for nesting
Both species have declined in some UK regions due to habitat loss and climate change
Welfare Considerations
Individual wheatears and stonechats face welfare pressures from habitat loss and weather extremes, with open habitat conservation supporting their welfare.
What You Can Do
Support heathland and coastal clifftop conservation
Record wheatear arrival dates and stonechat sightings for BTO monitoring
Advocate for upland habitat management that maintains open structure for these species