Thrushes, Finches, and Swans Flock to UK Amid Changing Seasons

As the summer of 2025 gives way to autumn, the UK is experiencing a surge of migratory birds arriving from Scandinavia. According to the latest reports, the country's most famous winter visitors are the redwings and fieldfares, two species of thrushes that have fled the bitter cold and scarce food supplies in their native lands.

These thrushes can now be seen gorging on berries in the UK's trees, hedgerows, and fields. While redwings typically avoid gardens, they may venture into residential areas during heavy snowfall when they cannot access their usual foraging grounds. Fieldfares, on the other hand, are large and colorful thrushes that can be found in hedgerows, woodlands, and fields across the country from October to April.

Joining the thrushes are the bramblings, migratory finches that have also made the journey from Scandinavia. These birds can be spotted in beech woodlands and other wooded areas, and they are known to visit gardens in search of food, often mixing with flocks of chaffinches.

The influx of migratory birds is not limited to the countryside, as the UK's wetlands are also experiencing a surge in activity. Experts report that the country's coasts and wetlands are currently home to around 1.5 million lapwings, half a million dunlin, 300,000 knot, 300,000 oystercatchers, 60,000 bar-tailed godwits, 50,000 redshanks, and 40,000 grey plovers, among other species.