"When compared with places such as Norway and Sweden, the UK has relatively warm winters, and we get large numbers of migratory birds from all over Europe, which travel here seeking shelter, food and water. But numbers change every year depending on what the weather is like there and here with the recent cold spell you may see some surprise migratory visitors outside your window"
"Last year, almost 600,000 people took part, with birdwatchers catching sight of more than 9 million birds belonging to over 80 different species. About 3,000 of those were fieldfares and redwings. In 2025, the average count of woodpigeons rose to become the UK's third most recorded spot for the first time, behind the house sparrow which has stayed in top place for the 22nd year in a row and the blue tit."
Cold, unsettled weather across Europe has increased migrations of fieldfares and redwings to the UK in 2026. Migratory birds spend much of the year on the continent before wintering in the UK to avoid extreme cold in places such as Poland and Scandinavia and to find food when availability becomes scarce. The RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch runs between 23 and 25 January and is the world's largest garden wildlife survey. Nearly 600,000 people participated last year, recording over 9 million birds from more than 80 species, including about 3,000 fieldfares and redwings. Starlings dropped out of the top three while woodpigeons rose to third; the house sparrow remained top for the 22nd year. Local birds provide a welcome dose of wildness even on grey winter days.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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