Birds to look out for this Autumn and Winter

2 min read
Birds to look out for this Autumn and Winter

We all know about the swallows and swifts that come to us during the summer, but did you know we have a troop of winter visitors in the UK too? Most of the birds who come and see us in the colder weather come to overwinter from climates that our colder than our own, including Scandinavia and the Arctic, and some birds we see all year round (including blackbirds and starlings) are actually winter migrants to our shores.

A regular supply of bird food which is topped up little and often, plus a bird bath filed with fresh water when the ground is frozen are two great ways to support our winter visitors and could be the help they need to return to their summer homes in springtime.

Next time you're on a nature walk, see if you can spot some of our winter visitors - I would love to see photos!

Redwing

Redwings visit us from Scandinavia, Iceland and Russia from September onwards. You can hear their "seep" call overhead as they fly into us in loose flocks. When the ground is frozen, redwings venture into our gardens to enjoy food from our bird feeders.

Brambling

Bramblings can be seen on our shores from mid-September and flock in the thousands along with chaffinches (you can tell them apart by the brambling's white tummy. They come to us from Siberia and Scandinavia and love to eat seeds and fruit, so you might be lucky enough to spot one at your feeders this winter.

Waxwing

We don't see waxwings every year, so it's always a treat when they come over. These exotic looking birds spend their summers in Scandinavia and only come to us when population numbers have rocketed, leaving food supplies scarce. They enjoy rowan and hawthorn berries and rosehips.

Fieldfare

Fieldfares join us from their Scandinavian summer breeding grounds and fit right in with our resident thrushes. They flock in thousands and mainly feed in hedgerows and countryside, but will come into our gardens to eat fallen apples or search for seeds in very cold weather. 

To learn more about bird migration (a genuinely fascinating topic), take a look at my blog Which birds migrate and why.

Clare Cahill

Thank you for reading!

Clare Cahill is an bird enthusiast with a passion for observing and learning. While she definitely doesn’t have a formal degree in ornithology, Clare has dedicated hours to reading birding books and exploring nature, constantly expanding her knowledge and deepening her love for wildlife.

For Clare, birdwatching brings a sense of calm and connection to the world, offering a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. She believes that the more we connect with nature, the more we can do to protect and conserve it. Through her writing, Clare hopes to inspire others to take a moment to pause, look up, and appreciate the calm and connection that comes from letting a little wildness into our everyday lives.

About A Little Bird Co.

The seasonal bird food brand

We're a little company, supporting little birds. Find out more about what sets us apart.

  • What to feed the birds in summer

    Seasonal

    Birds have different dietary needs throughout the year, from nesting to moulting and surviving colder months. To support these changes, we’ve created seasonal blends – order a Seasonal Bird Food bag, and we’ll adjust the blend to match the season, making it easy to do something great for the birds.

  • Sustainable

    Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. We don't farm, process, and transport cheap filler ingredients that birds simply kick to the floor. Instead, we focus on premium ingredients they love. Our packaging is compostable, and our bird feeders and nest boxes are tested for durability and longevity.

  • Songbird

    We design our food and select our range of feeders with little birds in mind. Every ingredient in our blends is chosen because small birds love it, simplifying your bird feeding routine. Our feeders provide safe access to food while helping to keep out larger, more dominant species. Look out for robins, blue tits, wrens, finches and more visiting your garden for our food.

  • Support

    With birds in your garden, you’re never alone - they’re the friends who always visit. Feeding them supports wildlife conservation while bringing joy and calm. Whether spotting a new species or simply watching their daily routines, just ten minutes a day strengthens your connection with nature and boosts your wellbeing.

When life feels busy, the birds keep it simple.

There’s something lovely about how feeding the birds becomes part of the rhythm of your day. A scoop of seed, a clean dish of water - and then a pause, just to watch who turns up. It doesn’t have to take long, but those moments can be surprisingly grounding. A little burst of mindfulness, fresh air, a chance to notice your garden as it changes throughout the seasons, and the cheerful flutter of wings - it’s good for the soul.

Join our flock of bird enthusiasts who share a passion for sustainable and thoughtful bird feeding.

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