There are lots of different types of wildlife to be discovered in your garden and in your local area this winter; birds especially are species which you and your family can always be on the lookout for. Different birds prefer different climates, and many enjoy the cold weather winter brings with it. Some of these birds begin to leave as the temperature gets warmer, so it’s a great idea to get clued up now and try to spot as many as you can!
Types of Winter Birds
Most of our winter visitors migrate here from Iceland, Scandinavia, and other parts of north-western Europe. The Snow Bunting are no exception to this, and most can be seen in winter near the coast and occasionally around lakes. They are most likely to be seen in Scotland and around parts of Eastern England.
These type of ducks can be seen all year round, but tend to congregate on coasts in winter. They all have round heads and small bills, and the males have a distinct yellow marking on their forehead. (Remember, if you wish to feed the ducks, don’t feed them bread!)
Waxwings have yellow-tipped feathers and reddish-brown bodies. These striking birds do not breed in the UK, but are winter visitors, and can usually be seen on the UK’s East coast. Sometimes these birds move inland to search for berries making them a bit easier to spot!
Generally seen in flocks, Redwings are winter migrants to most parts of Britain. They are brown with a speckled breast and orangey-red underwing. This type of bird communally nests, meaning that hundreds of them can be found sleeping in the same place at night time.
The Robin can be found in Britain and Ireland all year round, and is perhaps the bird most commonly associated with Christmas. In cold weather, they fluff up their feathers making them look plumper than usual. Their distinct red breasts mean they can be easily identified.
If you live in central London or in another busy city in the UK, you’ll be very lucky to spot a House Sparrow this winter. These birds used to be one of the most common types of urban birds, and their disappearance from cities has ecologists and ornithologists flummoxed! Their population is in sharp decline in the UK, but the birds can still be commonly spotted in rural and suburban areas, particularly in Scotland and the north of Ireland and England.
These birds are part of the Warbler family, all of which are usually small, vocal, and brown or green in colour. Blackcap’s themselves are usually grey, olive and/or brown and are thought by some to have the most attractive song of any British bird. More and more of them are choosing to spend their winters in the UK, meaning they are residents in the UK and parts of Europe all year round.
How to Look After Them
Should you be lucky enough to spot any of these species of bird, or perhaps another winter resident/visitor that isn’t listed here, you can give them a helping hand by making them welcome in your garden.
It is especially important for birds to keep their feathers clean in winter in order for them to stay properly insulated. If your bird bath freezes over, be sure to use warm water (anti-freeze is harmful to birds) to make sure the birds have access. Bird baths can sometimes be a source of infection, so it’s important to clean out your birdbath often with disinfectant.
When worms and insects are in short supply during the winter months, it’s a great idea to top up your bird feeders, or build your own bird feeder if you don’t already have one!
You can find more information about what to feed the birds with on the Preloved blog!
All images are sourced from Pinterest