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Wildlife spotting on winter walks

Whether catching up with family and friends outdoors, or walking off the excesses of the festive period, there is still lots of wildlife to spot during the winter months if you look closely.

Woodland wildlife

With temperatures likely to drop over the next few weeks, birds will be actively looking for food. In woodland areas, they’re far easier to see now that most of the leaves have fallen. 

Over the past few years, there have been sightings of waxwings too. These amazing, colourful birds are about the same size as a starling and are winter visitors to the UK. Their arrival is driven by a shortage of food in Europe when they set off in large numbers, called irruptions. Keep an eye on social media for news of their arrival.

Bullfinch - Amy Lewis

Amy Lewis

Look for berries in hedgerows as these are a good food source for several species, including blackbirds, thrushes, and finches. Our resident pair of bullfinches show really well during the winter months, although I usually hear them first – a single repeated note that permeates the other bird song. 

Two roe deer

(C) Donald Sutherland

In my local woodland, we occasionally have roe deer passing through which are a great winter spectacle. They’re easily spooked so I usually keep my dog on a lead if she’s with me.

Through the fields

Many of our small mammals are dormant or hibernating during the winter months, so birds of prey such as buzzards and kestrels will hunt over a wider area and range of habitats. Look out for buzzards on fence posts or on the ground, and kestrels hovering over potential prey. 

Chaffinches, house sparrows, great tits, and robins can be spotted flitting along field edges, especially if near woodland. 

Along the river

Birds feature heavily on the wildlife list for rivers during the winter. Resident duck populations are boosted by arrivals from Northern Europe so you’re likely to see good numbers of mallards on the river and wigeons grazing on fields near the water.

Black-headed Gull

Black-headed gull (winter) ©Tom Marshall

Our local river hosts a strong population of black-headed gulls, confusingly all sporting their winter plumage which means a white head and a black spot behind the eye. 

Cormorants pay a fleeting visit to stretches of the river, particularly when the water level is high. 

Grey herons are also easier to spot during the colder months. Look out for them standing still at the water’s edge, waiting to spear a passing fish. In amongst the herons, smaller wading birds, such as redshanks and dunlin can be spotted but usually require binoculars if they’re moving quickly.

Otter in river

Luke Massey

Of the mammals that frequent our local area, the most active are otters and I have spotted a few spraints in recent weeks. I haven’t spotted the adults for a while but perhaps need to take a walk at either dawn or dusk. 

A walk in the park

During the spring and summer, robins can be very territorial which means you may only see a single pair in your local area. However, during the winter, all is forgiven and you’re more likely to see several birds together. Additional robins may also arrive from Scandinavia which boost local populations. 

Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) Vixen in the Snow during winter

Danny Green/2020VISION

Although they don’t hibernate, badgers enter a deep sleep state during winter, called torpor, so you’re less likely to see them. However, foxes remain active and will forage for food and look for a mate, as winter is also the breeding season for these mammals.

Find inspiration for a winter walk on our nature reserves page

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