WINTER thrushes – coming to a berry laden hedgerow near you… The autumn and winter months have much more to offer than cozying up inside with a cup of tea and a nice book.

In the natural world around us there’s so much going on, even in the cities and our own gardens.

Right now is a perfect time to get out and learn about the wonders of autumn migration.

Although the coast is hard to beat in terms of mass migration spectacles when thousands of geese, ducks and waders from the continent arrive in huge numbers to stock up on food on the mudflats, some winter visitors have already started to trickle into Worcestershire and other landlocked counties.

Although we are still at the start of the autumn migration season you might be able to spot the first signs of newcomers.

I have heard that the first redwings have been seen.

Redwings and their relative the fieldfare are two of the thrushes that make a regular and conspicuous sight at this time of the year. They are sometimes called winter thrushes as they just stay during the colder months.

The redwing comes over from Europe or flies down from the chilly climate of Iceland. This thrush is easily identifiable close up or in flight by their distinctive red patches underneath the wings.

The larger fieldfare flies over the North Sea from Scandinavia and Eastern Europe. They have a distinctive grey/blue head and rump and chestnut wings.

Both are easily distinguished by their plumage and are a joy to watch.

In common with many other migrants, both birds tend to travel at night, so on a starry, frosty October evening, go outside in your garden and use your ears and look towards the sky.

Whether you live in a rural area or in the city, you are almost certain to hear the ‘shack, shack’ chuckling call of the fieldfare and the high-pitched whistling ‘seep’ call of a redwing as they fly overhead.

Hearing these travelers calling overhead is a great reminder that our gardens and cities are anything but tame; they definitely have a wild side to them as anything could be moving across roofs and gardens.

Redwings and fieldfares arrive here from September to November and their long migratory flights mean they are exhausted and must feed themselves up!

They gorge themselves on the nutritious supply of berries especially blackberries from our hedgerows. Orchards are also a fantastic place to spot them feasting on fruit in the trees and on the ground. They are also often found in large flocks with song and mistle thrushes as well.

You can read more about what’s on the move at bto.org/birdtrack ● Sharon Boardman is the RSPB people engagement officer.