RSPB highlights the best places to see visiting species at its reserves
As the days grow shorter, the UK becomes home to winter migrant birds, who make lengthy journeys to spend the colder months here.
Many species make gruelling flights to the UK from Iceland, Scandinavia and Northern Russia. Food sources are a huge attraction, with England’s East Coast wetland habitats acting almost like avian service stations to water birds, providing a haven and fish, molluscs and plants to eat.
Here, the RSPB details key species that come to our shores as autumn migrants, and the best nature reserves to see them. Read more about the Big Garden Birdwatch.
Winter migrant birds – Goldcrest
Spare a thought for the tiny Goldcrest, our smallest bird. It weighs a little more than a 20p piece. Their small size makes them particularly susceptible to extreme weather. Each year, our resident population is joined by migratory birds from Scandinavia.
Where to spot them: Mature woodland and parks, especially with conifers. RSPB Arne (Dorset) enjoys good numbers over winter.
Fieldfare
These large thrushes arrive in search of winter fruit, such as hawthorn, holly, rowan and apple trees. A sociable species, fieldfares gather in noisy flocks or listen out for their ‘chack-chack’ call.
Where to see them: Woodland and places with trees bearing fruit through winter. If you have an apple tree in your garden, birds will come to you. RSPB Ynis-hir (Wales) is a good spot to look for them.
Winter migrant birds – Brent Geese
One of the smaller, darker subspecies of geese, Brent geese fly in loose flocks instead of a tight skein. Differences in plumage give you a clue as to where they are summer residents. Birds that breed in Northern Russia, Alaska or Canada have darker bellies. Any with lighter colouring on their underside are likely from Svalbard and Greenland.
Where to see them: Titchwell Marsh (Norfolk) for dark-bellied birds.
Redwings
Like their fellow thrushes, fieldfares, redwings spend winter searching for berries and winter fruits. Our smallest true thrush can be harder to spot due to its skittish temperament. Your best chance is when they are gathered on a bush or tree, absorbed in feeding.
Where to see them: Wooded areas. RSPB Old Moor (South Yorkshire) and RSPB Loch Lomond host lots of these winter visitors.
Winter migrant birds – Pink-footed Geese
These medium-sized geese are easiest to spot by their distinctive pink legs. They come here from breeding sites in Spitsbergen, Iceland and Greenland, in search of post-harvest cereal stubbles, sugar beet-tops and winter wheat. Their overwintering numbers in the UK are increasing, particularly in Norfolk.
Where to see them: Leighton Moss (Lancashire) and Loch Leven.
Starlings
Whilst resident year-round, each November to February, their numbers swell with Scandinavian migrants. Their roosting habits create that enduring spectacle, the murmuration. Often seen just before dusk, these are formed of thousands of birds swooping and diving, often creating breathtaking shapes.
Where to see them: RSPB Leighton Moss (Lancashire), Minsmere (Suffolk) and Saltholme (Cleveland).
For more information, visit www.rspb.org.uk.
