Wildlife

Red-Backed Shrike Welfare: Recolonisation and Habitat Requirements

The red-backed shrike became extinct as a UK breeding bird in the 1990s but is now beginning to recolonise, with welfare considerations around habitat provision and disturbance.

Key Facts

Red-backed shrikes last bred regularly in UK in the 1970s
Occasional breeding attempts have occurred in Scotland and southern England since 2000
They require open scrubby habitat with large invertebrate prey, particularly beetles and grasshoppers
Climate change and reforestation of European heathland may be improving habitat quality

Welfare Considerations

Recolonising shrikes attempting to breed at isolated UK sites face disturbance from birdwatchers, which can cause nest abandonment. The absence of suitable habitat — open scrub with sufficient large invertebrate prey density — means recolonisation attempts in poor habitats fail regardless of disturbance level. Maintaining and creating open heathland and scrub habitat in southern England and Scotland improves the welfare prospects for future recolonisation attempts.

What You Can Do

Maintain strict distances from any reported red-backed shrike breeding attempt
Support RSPB heathland management in potential recolonisation areas
Donate to conservation management creating open scrub habitat in southern England
Follow birding code of conduct guidelines around rare breeding birds