CYMRAEG search COVID-19 (Coronavirus) For details on service changes visit our Coronavirus information and advice page. WINTER MIGRATING BIRDS Home / About the National Park / Wildlife / Seasonal Wildlife / Winter Migrating Birds SHARE THIS It is hard to believe that during the long, cold winter months when little is growing and the coast of Pembrokeshire is battered by winter storms, that some creatures actually choose to visit Pembrokeshire. Yet, Pembrokeshire is a popular winter get-away for many species of bird. Why do these creatures choose to spend the winter with us? The simple answer is that Pembrokeshire is warmer than the places they have left behind. Our maritime climate offers milder weather, and enough food. Had the birds stayed in their summer haunts they may have frozen to death or starved. Many of the birds that arrive in Pembrokeshire each autumn are species which prefer coastal habitats, or places with open water and damp heathland. They include waders such as the golden plover and lapwing, or wildfowl such as the goldeneye. Escaping from the harsh Russian winter are thrushes such as the fieldfare and redwing. WINTER VISITORS FROM EASTERN EUROPE When icy winds blast the hills and forests of Eastern Europe and Russia, it is not only the larger bird species that make long journeys to warmer lands. Smaller birds make this hazardous journey too. Among the visitors to Pembrokeshire are two members of the thrush family, the redwing and the fieldfare. The redwing is an attractive bird. Though largely grey-brown, it has a distinctive white stripe above its eye and orangey flashes on each side and under its wings. Redwings arrive in early winter in large flocks. They are fairly fast moving, and easily put to flight if unsettled. They feed mostly on open fields, searching for worms and invertebrates, but will also feast on fruit and berries. Slightly larger than the redwing, the fieldfare has a grey head, chestnut back and pale speckled breast. It also appears in early winter in large flocks. Fieldfares are often seen feasting in trees and bushes on fruits and berries. They have a chattering call, and can be heard calling at night when migrating. WADING BIRD SPECIES During the winter the estuary at Angle and the wetlands close to Castlemartin are host to many species of wader. These birds migrate here in search of food and to shelter from the harsh winter weather elsewhere. Among the species recorded are lapwing, golden plover, greenshank, godwit and snipe. The lapwing was once a common bird across the UK, arriving in huge flocks during the winter, and feeding in damp river valleys and estuaries. Flocks of hundreds were common. Modern drainage practices have destroyed the habitat that this bird and other wading species need to feed. The mud at West Angle Bay and the swampy ground on the MOD Range and Castlemartin Corse offer these conditions. Large flocks gather during the winter. A small, dumpy brown bird, the snipe lives in the UK all year. However, in the winter more birds arrive from the continent. The snipe has a long thin beak which it uses to probe into soft mud in search of invertebrates. It is a difficult bird to see, well camouflaged against grasses and reeds, but makes a shrill kreech when disturbed. WILDFOWL As winter closes its icy grip across Europe many species of ducks and geese arrive in Pembrokeshire in search of food and shelter. The county is fortunate to escape the worst of the winter weather, and ponds and lakes rarely freeze. One of the prettiest winter arrivals is the goldeneye, a species of duck. The male bird is a beautiful creature with glossy black upper parts and a white tummy. It has a white circle of feathers, or eye, just below its eye. The goldeneye arrives in small flocks during the winter, but remains wary of humans. It is a diving duck. Goldeneye can be seen on the Bosherston Lakes near Stackpole during the winter. The males can be seen displaying by tipping back their heads. Other visitors to the Bosherton Lakes in winter are teal and tufted duck. These birds mix with year round residents such as mute swan, coot, mallard and moorhen. LEARN MORE ABOUT SEASONAL VISITORS TO THE PEMBROKESHIRE COAST SEASONAL SEA BIRDS A visit to a sea bird colony is a true assault on the senses; the movement, sounds and smells of thousands of birds filling the air and the cliff ledg... READ MORE ON SEASONAL SEA BIRDS OCEAN VISITORS While it is possible to visit one of Pembrokeshire’s seabird colonies to see the spectacle of puffins, guillemots and razorbills, it is less easy to... READ MORE ON OCEAN VISITORS ABOUT THE NATIONAL PARK SUSTAINABILITY Find out how the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority tackles the issues of sustainability, climate change and sea level rise. READ MORE ON SUSTAINABILITY FACTS AND FIGURES Find out some fascinating facts that highlight what makes the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park so special. READ MORE ON FACTS AND FIGURES ACCESS AND RIGHTS OF WAY We do our best to ensure that you have access to all the best bits, so around 1,000 km of the network of public rights of way in the National Park is ... READ MORE ON ACCESS AND RIGHTS OF WAY ARCHAEOLOGY The historic environment is part of what makes the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park such a special place. People have lived and worked in the park fo... READ MORE ON ARCHAEOLOGY WILDLIFE Explore the amazing wildlife that makes its home on the Pembrokeshire Coast. READ MORE ON WILDLIFE HABITATS The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park has many habitats which support a wide variety of wildlife; both common and rare. READ MORE ON HABITATS GEOLOGY When you think about the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park you may conjure up images of beautiful beaches, panoramic views from the Coast Path and qua... READ MORE ON GEOLOGY HISTORY In this section we invite you to travel back in time and explore the rich cultural history of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. READ MORE ON HISTORY CULTURE AND HERITAGE Pembrokeshire has a rich and diverse culture which has been shaped down the centuries by waves of invaders and settlers. READ MORE ON CULTURE AND HERITAGE GEOGRAPHY Explore the stunning geography of the Pembrokeshire Coast, which after all is the reason for Pembrokeshire being designated as a National Park. READ MORE ON GEOGRAPHY GET IN TOUCH Contact us and register your details to get the latest updates on what's happening in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. CONTACT US National Park Office Llanion Park Pembroke Dock Pembrokeshire, SA72 6DY Tel: 01646 624800 Email: info@pembrokeshirecoast.org.uk VISITING Plan your visit Access for All Carew Castle and Tidal Mill Castell Henllys Iron Age Village Oriel y Parc Gallery and Visitor Centre QUICK LINKS About the National Park Authority About the National Park Planning Contact Us News Jobs Accessibility Statement Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions Cookie Policy Sitemap © 2021 Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However you may visit Cookie Settings to provide a controlled consent. Cookie settingsACCEPT