Migratory Birds UK: Autumn and Winter Visitors Arrive in Large Numbers

1. Redwing Thrills with Red Flashes

The redwing, a small thrush with rusty-red wing patches, is among the first to land from Scandinavia and Iceland. Flocking to fields, woodlands, and gardens, they hunt for berries. Their faint “tsee” call pierces the night sky, signaling their arrival.

2. Fieldfares Bring Noisy Charm

Larger and louder, fieldfares boast grey heads and speckled chests, migrating from northern Europe. These thrushes gather in farmlands and parks, munching on worms and berries while chattering with their distinctive “chack-chack” calls.

3. Bramblings Add Autumn Hues

Resembling chaffinches with vibrant orange shoulders, bramblings arrive from northern forests. They frequent woodlands and bird feeders, especially near beech trees, with numbers varying based on food supplies.

4. Waxwings Steal the Show

With punk-like crests and red-tipped wings, waxwings from northern Europe are a dazzling sight. In berry-rich years, they pop up in urban spots like car parks with rowan trees, drawing crowds of admirers.

5. Whooper Swans Honk Their Way In

Majestic whooper swans, with yellow-and-black bills, migrate from Iceland to graze in Scotland and northern England’s wetlands. Their loud “whoop” calls echo as they complete non-stop flights.

6. Bewick’s Swans Grace Wetlands

Smaller and daintier, Bewick’s swans fly from Arctic Russia to rest at reserves like WWT Slimbridge. Their mostly black bills and compact size make them a favorite among birdwatchers.

7. Barnacle Geese Land on Coasts

Sporting striking black-and-white faces, barnacle geese breed in Greenland and Svalbard, stopping in Iceland before wintering in Scotland and northern England. Look for them at coastal sites like WWT Caerlaverock.

8. Pink-footed Geese Fly in Formation

Known for their pinkish feet and V-shaped flocks, pink-footed geese speed from Greenland to East Anglia’s WWT Martin Mere. Their noisy 12-24 hour journeys are a spectacle in the skies.

9. Common Pochards Dive into Lakes

These diving ducks, with rusty-red heads, arrive from northern Europe, boosting UK flocks by about 48,000. They settle on lakes and coasts, adding vibrancy to winter waterways.

10. Goldcrests Defy Their Size

Europe’s tiniest bird, the goldcrest, braves North Sea crossings from eastern Europe. Spot these featherweight wonders flitting along the east coast, a testament to nature’s resilience.