January’s Birds of the Month: which ones will you see?

Whooper Swans are named for their raucous, trumpeting "whoop-whoop" calls and yelps. They call in flight as well as when they are claiming territory.  

• Hold their necks straight – Mute Swans tend to arch their necks 

• More pointed bill than a Mute Swan 

• Yellow on bill that is wedge shaped 

Whooper Swans can be seen in winter in much of Scotland and there are also some large populations further south in England. RSPB sites include Loch Leven in Scotland, Ouse Washes in Cambridgeshire, and Lough Foyle and Portmore Lough in Northern Ireland. Wintering Whooper Swans can also be seen at WWT Welney in Norfolk and WWT Martin Mere  in Lancashire. 

This winter, around 6,500 Whooper Swans arrived at RSPB Ouse Washes. Senior Site Manager Jonathan Taylor said: “Looking out at the sheer number of Whooper Swans as the sun rises on RSPB Ouse Washes is a true winter wonder.

"It is Cambridgeshire’s biggest wildlife spectacle but not many people outside of our regular visitors are aware of the mass migration of swans to our free to visit site, and especially the current dawn gathering as they take flight to seek out food.” 

Whooper Swans at RSPB Ouse Washes.

Moderate. As Whooper Swans gather in fairly large numbers, they aren’t difficult to see as long as you go to the right places at the right time! Head to a site known to have Whooper Swans and ask fellow birdwatchers or reserve staff for where to find them.    

Whooper Swans are on the Amber List on the UK's Birds of Conservation Concern. Although there is some evidence that the numbers wintering in the UK are going up due to an increase in the Icelandic population, they face ongoing threats from avian flu and habitat loss.   

Like Whooper Swans, Bewick’s Swans are very vocal and call to other in flight. Listen for a bugling call which some describe as having musical notes! 

• Smaller than a Mute Swan or Whooper Swan 

• Hold their necks straight – Mute Swans tend to arch their necks 

• More pointed bill than a Mute Swan 

• Yellow on bill is rounded rather than wedge shaped 

Bewick's Swans are found mainly in eastern England and around the Severn Estuary. RSPB Ouse and Nene Washes in Cambridgeshire and WWT Slimbridge in Gloucestershire are good places to see Bewick's Swans.

Moderate to hard. These birds are found in only a few wetland sites in winter.      

Bewick’s Swans were added to the Red List of UK Birds of Conservation Concern in 2021. Pressures include illegal hunting abroad, ingestion of lead ammunition, and the impacts of climate change and habitat loss.  

In 2025, the UK Government has announced new restrictions on the use of lead in ammunition, following campaigning by the RSPB, WWT and other conservation organisations.  

Listen for a rapid burst of drumming that lasts for about a second and can be heard some distance away. Their sharp ‘tchick’ call is another good clue, especially in woodland or when they fly into a garden.

• About Blackbird-sized but more slender
• Black, white plumage and red plumage (on belly)
• Males have a red patch on the back of the head
• Strong, bouncing flight

Great Spotted Woodpeckers are found in larger woods, gardens and parks across most of the UK. They’ve spread north in recent years and now can be found across England, Wales, Scotland and parts of Northern Ireland. In winter, watch tree trunks and thicker branches carefully, or keep an eye on peanut and suet feeders where they’re often bold, regular visitors.

Easy to moderate. In many areas Great Spotted Woodpeckers are now a regular sight, and their loud calls and drumming give them away. In places with less mature trees, they can be harder to spot, but a visit to a woodland reserve or a garden with good feeders should give you a fair chance of seeing one.

Great Spotted Woodpeckers are on the Green List of Birds of Conservation Concern, with a large and increasing UK population. Good woodland management and deadwood for feeding and drumming both help them thrive.

Listen for a short, fast burst of drumming and soft, quiet calls. The drumming is lighter and quicker than a Great Spotted Woodpecker’s. Still, calm mornings give you a better chance to hear them.

• About the size of a House Sparrow
• Black and white barred plumage on back and wings
• Males have a red crown, females have a black crown

Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers prefer woodland with plenty of deadwood, especially in parts of England and Wales. They tend to stay high in the tree canopy, which makes them hard to spot, so look up at the upper branches, especially early in the day, and listen carefully for drumming and calls.

Hard. There aren’t many Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers in the UK and they spend much of their time high in the trees, so they can be very tricky to find. Even in good areas, you may need several visits and a little luck.

Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers have been declining since the 1980s and are on the Red List of Birds of Conservation Concern. They’re also a Priority Conservation Species for the RSPB.  Thanks to the support of RSPB members and supporters, we’re conducting research to understand the reasons behind the declines so that we can develop solutions to support its recovery.

As well as the rattling call, you might hear some repeated fluty phrases, though not the long, varied song of a spring Song Thrush. Listen from the tops of tall trees on milder January mornings, especially near berry-covered hollies.

• Large, spotted thrush
• Cold greyish brown above with spots on a white breast
• Upright stance
• Larger than a Blackbird

Found in open woodland, parks, fields and hedgerows across the UK. In winter, check Holly and Rowan trees in parks and gardens and scan the top branches for a perched bird calling.

Easy. Mistle Thrushes are widespread and can be found in many different habitats, but numbers have fallen in some areas. With a bit of patience, you stand a good chance of seeing one this month. Look high into the canopy to catch them keeping watch.

The Mistle Thrush is on the Red List of Birds of Conservation Concern in the UK, which means it’s in need of the most help. Berry-rich hedgerows, orchards and healthy woodland edges all provide important food and cover.

Its call is a simple ‘tsit’. The song is made of repeated musical phrases, usually heard two or three times in a row, which is a good way to tell them apart from Blackbirds.

• Warm brown above with speckles on a creamy white breast
• Spots on the upper breast can look like upside-down hearts
• Smaller and browner than a Mistle Thrush, with smaller spotting

Song Thrushes are found in gardens, woodlands, parks and scrub across the UK. Look for them feeding on short grass, at the edge of shrub beds or searching for snails near stones and paths. In winter they may join mixed thrush flocks in fields or orchards, especially where there’s plenty of food.

Easy to moderate. Song Thrushes are still widespread, but they’re not as common as they used to be. A slow walk through a park or garden on a calm day, listening carefully, gives you a good chance of hearing or seeing one.

The Song Thrush is on the Amber List of Birds of Conservation Concern because of the declines it’s suffered. RSPB habitat work that protects hedgerows, scrubby corners and damp ground helps this much-loved bird. Leaving some wild, untidy patches in gardens can also offer extra food and cover.