Wildlife

Redwing Welfare: Migratory Thrushes in UK Winters

Welfare overview for redwings -- the smallest UK thrush and a winter visitor from Scandinavia.

Key Facts

Redwings are winter visitors to the UK arriving from Iceland and Scandinavia in October
They are the smallest thrush species regularly seen in the UK
Redwings feed primarily on berries in winter -- hawthorn, holly, and rowan are critical food sources
Hard winters can cause mass mortality when berry crops are exhausted and ground is frozen
They move nomadically through the UK following food availability -- welfare is linked to berry abundance
Night-time migration makes redwings susceptible to building and vehicle collisions
Garden supplementary food including apple halves and berry-producing shrubs provide vital welfare support
Climate change may affect migration timing and the predictability of UK berry crops

Welfare Significance

Redwing welfare in UK winters is primarily food-limited. When berry crops are poor and ground is frozen, redwings face starvation. Garden food provision -- apple halves, berry-producing shrubs, and open unfrozen water -- can be genuinely life-saving during severe winter weather. They exemplify how individual garden choices translate directly into wild animal welfare outcomes.

What You Can Do

Plant berry-producing native shrubs -- hawthorn, holly, rowan -- to support winter thrushes
Put out apple halves on the lawn during severe winter weather
Provide an unfrozen water source during cold snaps
Report unusual redwing mortality events to the BTO and Garden Wildlife Health project