Winter in the UK is often associated with the quietening down of nature. Leaves fall from the trees in showers of autumnal colour, some mammals and reptiles hibernate to escape the bitter cold and the boom of butterflies seen over summer disappears.

It appears that nature lovers shall have to wait for spring to arrive again before heading out to explore. However, this would be a mistake.

Believe it or not, British winters provide a haven for a diverse range of species migrating from regions where winters are much harsher. A majority of these species are birds, making winter a brilliant time for keen birders to scan the skies. Here are a few winter visitors to look out for…

Fieldfare (Turdus pilaris)

This thrush can often be found in large flocks, enjoying the bloom of berries provided by our hedgerows. Hawthorns, blackthorns, holly and many more tree species produce a nutrient-rich food store in the winter, encouraging up to 750,000 fieldfare to migrate to the UK in October. Then, once spring arrives these flocks return to breeding grounds in Scandinavia and Russia.

Redwing (Turdus iliacus)

Redwings also benefit from the hedgerow buffet and seasonal berries that occur in British winters. Similar in appearance to fieldfare, redwings can be distinguished by orangey-red patches beneath their wings. These birds migrate 500 miles to the UK from Scandinavia, Russia and Iceland in October, an extraordinary feat for the smallest thrush species. Moreover, redwings migrate in flocks during the night and communicate with each other using a distinctive ‘tsee’ call.

Brambling (Fringilla montifringilla)

Travelling a bit further is the brambling, migrating from summer breeding grounds in the forests of Asia and Northern Europe. Although often eating their way through Scandinavia in the winter, large flocks of brambling can be seen in the UK between September and April in years when food shortages occur in Scandinavia. Closely related to chaffinches, brambling can be identified by their mottled brown and black head plumage, bright orange upper chest, white rump and yellow bill.

Who’d have thought that our beloved robin sometimes roams elsewhere? We do have a healthy resident population in the UK, however, numbers increase in the winter when individuals from Scandinavia, Russia and Northern Europe migrate to the UK for a milder clime. Additionally, some of our British robins decide to take a sunny holiday over Christmas, with a small number migrating to Europe, mainly Spain and Portugal.

Bewick’s Swans (Cygnus columbianus) & Whooper Swans (Cygnus cygnus)

Rarely seen in Surrey but sometimes spotted on larger bodies of water, these two swan species come to the UK in the winter to feed on leftover potato and grain crops in agricultural fields. Both species also roost on open water and sport a large yellow bill, with slightly more yellow on the bill of Whooper swans than on Bewick’s swans. However, each swan faces a different challenge during migration, with Whooper swans visiting from Iceland around 850 miles away and Bewick’s swans travelling a whopping 2500 miles from Siberia.

Waxwing (Bombycilla garrulus)

These stunning birds visit the North and East regions of the UK in the winter, but were spotted in Surrey in 2021. If you’re hoping to see waxwing, they migrate from Northern Europe to stay in the UK between October and March to make the most of our luscious berries. In fact, they’re not fussy, with sightings recorded in car parks and gardens. Furthermore, when they are present, they are not hard to spot. Waxwings arrive in huge flocks when food is scarce in Europe in events known as ‘irruptions’. Furthermore, they are characterised by a sleek orange-pink crest and black markings around the eye and chin.

So, there you have it. Winter may be a time of harsh weather and sleepy wildlife, but it is also a time of remarkable change in the species we see in the UK and locally in Surrey. Why not visit some of our sites for a spot of bird-watching this winter? Sites particularly popular with winter migrants include Papercourt Meadows and Nutfield Marshes.

Lucy Smith
East Reserves Trainee

Sources

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/animals/birds/fieldfare/https://www.discoverwildlife.com/animal-facts/birds/fieldfare-factshttps://www.livingwithbirds.com/tweetapedia/21-facts-on-redwinghttps://www.lancswt.org.uk/blog/charlotte-varela/winter-wonder-redwingshttps://www.countryfile.com/wildlife/birds/where-do-birds-go-in-winter