Fieldfare Welfare and Winter Farmland Foraging

Fieldfares are winter visitors from Scandinavia that depend on berry-rich hedgerows and apple-bearing orchards for welfare-critical food resources.

Key Facts

Millions of fieldfares winter in the UK, arriving from Scandinavia from October onwards
They feed heavily on hawthorn and other hedgerow berries in early winter
Fallen apples in orchards provide critical late-winter food when berry crops are exhausted
Severe cold drives fieldfares into suburban areas in search of remaining food sources
Hedgerow management timing and berry retention directly affect winter fieldfare welfare

Welfare Considerations

Fieldfare welfare during UK winters depends on the availability of berry crops and the retention of hedgerow fruit. Early hedge cutting removes berries that fieldfares depend on for energy through the winter. Agricultural intensification has reduced hedgerow density and diversity, limiting food availability during cold weather when energy demands are highest. Traditional management of hedgerows with late cutting, apple orchards, and berry-bearing trees directly supports winter fieldfare welfare.

What You Can Do

Delay hedgerow cutting until late winter to maximise berry retention for winter thrushes
Plant hawthorn, rowan, and berry-bearing shrubs in gardens to supplement winter food resources
Leave windfall apples in orchards and gardens for foraging fieldfares and redwings
Contribute to fieldfare winter range counts through the BTO Garden BirdWatch scheme