Black Redstarts in England
When the Black Redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros) is present in England, when it nests, and which native England plants supply the food it depends on.
- Status in England
- Winter visitor
- Nesting season
- Does not breed here
- Size
- 14.5 cm, 16 g
- Delivery
- Perch Supply ships to the UK
When to expect black redstarts in England
The Black Redstart reaches England for the winter from breeding grounds further north and east. Frosts are frequent but prolonged snow is rare in the south; garden feeders carry tits and finches through January and February, and Continental thrushes arrive in hard weather.
Temperate maritime: mild, damp and changeable, drier and sunnier in the south-east than the north-west.
Native England plants for black redstarts
Of the native plants we track for England, these 8 provide food the Black Redstart uses:
Haws feed thrushes all winter; spring blossom supports hundreds of insect species.
Late-winter berries when little else is left, plus dense nesting cover.
Late-summer berries taken by Blackcaps and thrushes.
Thorny cover that protects nests; early blossom for insects.
Berries and nest sites in its tangles; moths for insect-eaters.
Blackberries and impenetrable nesting cover.
Seed heads for Goldfinches and a nectar source for insects.
Early-summer cherries for Blackbirds and Jays.
Feeding in the garden
Insects.
- Best foods: Mealworms.
- Rarely uses feeders.
- In Britain a rare breeder on brownfield and city rooftops.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked
Are black redstarts in England all year?
No. The Black Redstart is a winter visitor to England and breeds further north or east.
Which native plants help black redstarts in England?
Hawthorn, Ivy, Elder, Blackthorn, Honeysuckle, Bramble, Common knapweed, Wild cherry are native to England and provide food or cover the Black Redstart uses.
Black Redstarts in other countries
Other garden birds in England
Sources
- Black Redstart — RSPB bird guide
- Black Redstart — BTO BirdFacts
- Bird Atlas 2007–11 — British Trust for Ornithology
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.