What they like

Open spots with a clear view. Short grassy areas to run and peck. Hedges, scrub and orchards to shelter in. In the garden: leave a corner messy with leaves and branches. In parks and yards: plant hawthorn, blackthorn, rowan and elder. In the countryside: keep shelterbelts and hedgerows intact, leave rough edges.

Ecological importance

A notable slug- and earthworm-eater. It also takes insects and spiders. In autumn it switches to berries and disperses seeds — exactly the nudge scrub needs to come back. Eggs and young are food for crows and birds of prey: that keeps the chain turning.

When in the Netherlands

Year-round. Many birds breed here; in winter we get extra visitors from Northern and Eastern Europe.

Status

Breeding bird in decline. More messy margins, berry shrubs and wet, living soil help right away.