The different bird species migrating to the UK in the winter often go unnoticed by the untrained eye, however with a third more birds settling in the UK this season, there are more species than ever to spot.

With warmer temperatures than our migrants’ colder climates and a range of wild berries, the UK is a fantastic place for birds to settle down for the winter, helping them to prepare for next year’s breeding season. 

I’ve started to notice a larger number of birds flocking to the UK during the winter on my walks. I recently visited Heysham, where I noticed hundreds of oystercatchers perched on the sea defences.

I often hear complaints about the starling’s constant chatter echoing around housing estates. From my experience, I open my window to see them perched on neighbouring roofs and trees. They flock in large numbers, and in winter, there are four times the usual population in the UK – in 2023 Brockholes saw its largest ever starling murmurations as a result.

Many people congregate to witness these mesmerising murmurations, which start around September, where starlings gather to stay warm and protect themselves from predators before they go to roost.

Garden birds such as blackbirds and other members of the thrush family are more common to spot during winter. 

As I’ve been out in nature, I’ve noticed a wider community of people take an interest in birdwatching. People usually see birdwatching as an exclusive community where a certain expertise is needed. However, more recently, more people have been taking part by spotter sheets, such as those provided as part of The Big Garden Bird Watch, which has helped to expand the love for this hobby. 

This identification is helpful to organisations like Lancashire Wildlife Trust as it helps us understand how the health of species varies in different areas. If you’ve spotted any interesting wildlife on our nature reserves, do tag us in photos or send it to us on social media via Facebook, X or Instagram, or let our friendly Welcome Centre volunteers know.

Log piles can be used to attract insects and invertebrates by providing them with shelter, which eventually attracts more birds as they have an improved food source.

Providing water or a pond can also support these birds, since often the cold temperatures leave water sources scarce. However, ensuring the water sources don't become contaminated is key, as otherwise winter visitors are put at an even higher risk. 

Simply observing the bird activity can help you decide which feeders to put where in your garden. Birds will be more accustomed to different bird feeder shapes due to the differentiation of beak sizes. 

At Lancashire Wildlife Trust, the work we carry out on our reserves is essential for helping these migrant birds to thrive and to help us understand them more, while being lucky enough to experience these special moments we all love.