Although rarely seen in gardens, during harsh frozen weather Redwings can be tempted into them, attracted by berry-laden bushes, such as Hawthorn and wind-fallen fruit, especially apples. You may have spotted this winter visitor in your garden during ‘The Beast from the East’ last year.

Unlike humans, birds can see ultraviolet (UV) light. Redwings were the first birds used in a study to show the importance of UV to birds whilst foraging. The study found Redwings had a higher preference for feeding on UV-reflecting bilberries rather than bilberries with reduced UV.

Redwings arrive in Essex around late September/early October from Scandinavia, having travelled around 500 miles across the North Sea. Others arrive from Iceland and Russia to settle elsewhere in the UK. Migrating flocks can be heard communicating overhead with high-pitched ‘tseeping’ calls to one another, a familiar sound of October nights. Redwings are an abundant winter visitor, however, the number of migrant visitors fluctuates yearly due to food availability and success at breeding sites. Fluctuations in visiting numbers also accounts to their erratic migratory movements; Redwings move in response to food supply and weather so can winter in Spain or Turkey one year and the UK the next.

These wintering birds can often be spotted in loose, mixed flocks with other birds, such as Fieldfares and Starlings. You can identify them by their spotted breasts, rusty red underwings and striking white strip (supercilium) above the eye.

Redwings are classified in the UK as a Red List species in the Birds of Conservation Concern review, owing to the small population of breeding pairs that remain in the UK. Threats to Redwing can include habitat fragmentation and food availability during harsh winters.

Other than the small population that remain to breed, most Redwings will leave the UK in spring to return to their northern breeding territories. Here are a few of Essex Wildlife Trust’s nature reserves you may be able to spot Redwings before they start their long journey north:

• • Abbotts Hall Farm – Great Wigborough
  • Langdon Visitor Centre – Basildon
  • Fingringhoe Wick Visitor Centre and nature reserve – Colchester
  • Belfairs Woodland Centre – Leigh-on-sea
  • Roding Valley Meadows nature reserve – Chigwell