European cold snap may increase bird migration to UK

The RSPB says recent cold, unsettled weather in Europe may push more migratory birds such as fieldfares and redwings to spend winter in the UK, and the Big Garden Birdwatch runs 23–25 January.

Cold and unsettled weather across Europe has increased the likelihood of migratory birds spending winter in the UK, the RSPB said on the eve of its annual Big Garden Birdwatch. Species such as fieldfares and redwings normally spend much of the year on the continent but move to the UK to avoid extreme cold in places like Poland and Scandinavia and when food is scarce. The Big Garden Birdwatch, described by the RSPB as the world's largest garden wildlife survey, takes place between 23 and 25 January. The survey asks people to spend an hour watching birds in gardens or local parks and to send their counts to the RSPB. Key points: - The RSPB reported that a recent cold spell in Europe could lead to more migratory visitors arriving in the UK this winter. - Fieldfares and redwings are mentioned as species more likely to appear in increased numbers. - The Big Garden Birdwatch runs from 23–25 January and participants are asked to submit their counts to the RSPB. - In 2025 almost 600,000 people took part, reporting more than 9 million birds across over 80 species; about 3,000 of those were fieldfares and redwings. - A parallel schools event is scheduled for the first week of the spring term in February. Summary: The RSPB says the cold snap may lead to higher numbers of continental migrants being recorded during this year's Big Garden Birdwatch. The survey runs 23–25 January and participant counts are sent to the RSPB, with a schools version planned for early February. The extent of any change in national sightings will become clearer once those submitted counts are compiled.