Winter birdwatching not only brings joy to nature enthusiasts but also plays a vital role in promoting conservation awareness, enhancing scientific understanding and fostering a deeper connection with the wildlife of our country. As temperatures drop and landscapes transform, the UK becomes a haven for a wide variety of bird species, making winter an essential season for both new and experienced birdwatchers, especially those brave enough to weather the cold and rain that the winter brings here.
Sharing winter birdwatching joys
Birdwatching by Zsuzsanna Bird
Connor explores the joys of birdwatching with others...
Redwing by Lesley Betts
One of the most convincing reasons for getting the wellies on and going birdwatching at this time of year is the opportunity to observe migratory species that visit us during winter. Birds like fieldfares, redwings and waxwings migrate from colder regions, such as Scandinavia and Russia, seeking the UK’s relatively milder climate. Wetlands and coastal areas teem with flocks of waders and wildfowl, including species like Bewick's swans and brent geese, some of whom will have made the titanic 6000 mile journey to winter on our waters. This influx transforms the UK into a vibrant mosaic of avian life, providing birdwatchers with plenty of opportunities to witness species that are absent during other times of the year.
For many, winter birdwatching is a chance to find tranquillity in nature during the darker months. Shorter daylight hours and colder temperatures can take a toll on mental health and birdwatching offers a meditative escape. Whether standing on the banks of the Severn or watching a garden feeder, observing birds in their natural habitat provides moments of calm in a world that is increasingly fast-paced.
Grey heron by Terry Whittaker/2020VISION
This is a pastime that encourages friends and communities to get together to explore the wildlife that shares our spaces in these frigid times. Many community groups use birdwatching as a reason to explore local parks and countryside areas, encouraging exercise in a time when it's easier to wrap up somewhere warm with a cup of tea! Using resources like our website, ID guides or even apps such as Merlin Bird ID can be a fantastic way to demystify the sounds and sights of the birdlife around us, changing a cacophonous dawn chorus into a range of individual voices, each with their own rhythms and tones to admire.
Whether standing on the banks of the Severn or watching a garden feeder, observing birds in their natural habitat provides moments of calm in a world that is increasingly fast-paced.
Worcestershire, with its diverse spread of rivers, wetlands, woodlands and more is a prime location for birdwatching. Nestled in the heart of England, we're home to a remarkable variety of bird species that can attract birdwatchers and conservationists from near and far. One of the key attractions is the county's rich mix of habitats, which support both resident and migratory bird species. The River Severn and its floodplains provide essential wintering grounds for wildfowl and waders. Birds such as teal, wigeon and lapwing can be observed in significant numbers, often creating stunning aerial displays. Some of our nature reserves, such as Upton Warren, are hotspots for species like overwintering snipe and even an occasional bittern. The reed beds and saline lagoon at Upton Warren are particularly valuable, with the rare inland saltmarsh being an increasingly valuable habitat. Many saltmarshes are coastal and under intense pressure from factors like coastal erosion and modern development; continuing to provide safe habitats for our migratory and resident birds to flourish in is key in maintaining the vibrant diversity we enjoy here.
Winter birdwatching is far more than a seasonal hobby, it is a meaningful activity that enriches lives, supports conservation and reminds us to remember to continue to support our local wildlife throughout the colder times of the year. So fill up your bird feeders, chat to your neighbours and get your binoculars ready!
Want a few tips on where to go? Look no further...
1. The Christopher Cadbury Wetland Reserve at Upton Warren
- Key winter species: bittern, snipe, water rail, teal and wigeon. A great white egret has been seen regularly this autumn and early winter.
2. Grimley pools
- Key winter species: wintering ducks like teal, pochard, wigeon, pintail and gadwall. The surrounding hedgerows attract redwings and fieldfares.
3. Worcester Woods Country Park
- Key winter species: redwings, fieldfares, goldcrests and great spotted woodpeckers. Keep an eye out for finches and tits at bird feeding stations.
4. The Knapp and Papermill nature reserve
- Key winter species: nuthatch, treecreeper, marsh tit and brambling. Listen for for tawny owls and look for woodcock at dusk.
5. Bredon Hill
- Key winter species: yellowhammer, linnet and flocks of fieldfares and redwings. Raptors like kestrels and buzzards are also common.
8. Chaddesley Wood National Nature Reserve
- Key winter species: hawfinch, woodcock and tawny owls. Look out for mixed flocks of tits and finches foraging in the trees.
Connor is Project Officer for Wilder Worcestershire: Neighbourhoods Nurturing Nature, made possible by players of The National Lottery through the National Lottery Heritage Fund.