Wintering Thrushes Appeal

 Support the appeal through the BTO Raffle>>>

 

We know how and when the five thrush species, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Fieldfare and Redwing, make use of our gardens, especially when winter weather makes it hard to find food elsewhere. But, what about in Britain's wider countryside? And how could changes to our landscapes and weather patterns be affecting thrushes and their food supply?

The British countryside seems to be a haven for thrushes from as far afield as Iceland and Russia during the colder months, but there are some interesting questions, concerning both resident and migrant thrushes, cropping up which our scientists wish to investigate.   

 

Why have Song Thrushes and Mistle Thrushes declined by over 40% in forty years?

 

Why do we find fields of Redwings and Fieldfares in some parts of the country and not others?

 

Are new hedgerows providing food resources to supplement the invertebrate food of stubble fields?

 

How important are conservation headlands?

 

What determines the return journeys of Redwings and other thrushes? 

Your input is vital

In late 2012 we will be launching the Wintering Thrushes Survey which will help us understand a lot more about how thrushes use our countryside. You can help us by supporting the appeal this year and, if you are already familiar with BirdTrack, you can help inform next year's survey by adding your lists containing thrushes this winter (2011-12). Find out more about entering your thrush records here.

In addition you can also help by taking part in the BTO Raffle 2011-12 - with the added bonus that you could win a holiday for two people to Iceland, where many of our western Redwings come from! Find out more about the BTO Raffle prizes and get tickets here. 

We hope that you will also let us know about your bird records next winter in the full survey and inform our understanding of the impacts of the changing landscape on these charismatic winter visitors.

 

 

Five very different thrushes

Click on the link below each species to find out more about each species and the problems they may face. The Wintering Thrushes Survey will help us to understand a lot more about these species and their habitat needs and movements during winter.