Every winter, millions of birds arrive in the UK from across Europe and the Arctic, turning our countryside, coastlines and wetlands into temporary refuges from harsher northern climates.

In this video, I take a closer look at some of the UK’s most fascinating winter visitors, from colourful thrushes appearing in gardens and hedgerows, to vast flocks of geese overhead and elegant swans arriving from Iceland and the Russian Arctic. Some of these species turn up in huge numbers most years, while others only appear when food shortages force them to travel much further than usual.

You’ll learn where these birds come from, why they visit the UK, how to recognise them, and when you’re most likely to see them for yourself. From waxwings and redwings to whooper and Bewick’s swans, fieldfares, bramblings, pink-footed geese and snow buntings, these seasonal movements are one of the most remarkable wildlife spectacles our winters have to offer.

If you enjoy in-depth wildlife content like this and would like to support the channel, you can find me on Patreon here:
http://www.patreon.com/ashotofwildlife

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