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Rare Red-eyed Vireo sparks excitement at RSPB Minsmere nature reserve

The arrival of a migrant bird usually found in America is a first for the Suffolk reserve.

1st Oct 20265 min read

Red-eyed Vireos are North American birds that migrate to Central America for the winter. Occasionally they are blown across the Atlantic Ocean to the UK, typically appearing on the south-west coasts of Britain and Ireland. This is only the fifth time one has been seen in Suffolk and the first time at RSPB Minsmere.

RSPB Visitor Experience Officer Ian Barthope explains:

“RSPB Minsmere’s location on England’s east coast means that for many tired migrants it’s the first landfall after a long North Sea crossing. Whilst waders and wildfowl touch down on Minsmere’s coastal wetlands, such as the Scrape, tired songbirds land in patches of coastal scrub where they can rest and refuel before continuing their journey.

“Some birds even arrive from the west, blown across the vast Atlantic Ocean by tropical storms. These birds set out from their North American breeding grounds on route to wintering areas in Central and South America, but a few are blown thousands of miles off track. Typically, North American migrants make landfall on the west coast, in places like Cornwall, Shetland or western Ireland, but very occasionally they even reach the east coast.

“North American songbirds, like the Red-eyed Vireo, are very rare on the east coast – perhaps not surprisingly given that they can’t rest to feed on route. In fact, until this year only one other songbird had arrived at RSPB Minsmere: a Cliff Swallow.

“That all changed at 3.15pm on Tuesday 29 September when a visitor came into the Visitor Centre to report a Red-eyed Vireo in the North Bushes. Cue panic from the staff member on duty – me!

“Quarter of an hour later, I had glimpsed this exceptionally rare visitor, and by the following afternoon many local birdwatchers had manged to spot it.”

Will more unusual birds arrive?

Autumn is a time of mass migration for many birds all across the world, and storms, strong winds and other weather events can push birds off course. It’s also the time when young birds are migrating too, and their inexperience can result in them going astray. Sometimes birds end up in places beyond their range, turning up in unexpected places.

Described as ‘vagrants', these are birds that have gone beyond their normal geographical spread. Vagrants often turn up on coastals site, the first landfall they find after what is likely to have been a tough and perilous journey. They are also sometimes found inland too, so always worth keeping an eye out wherever you are.

Last month, a Red-footed Falcon arrived in Suffolk. This species typically spends the summer in northeast Europe and north Asia and was mostly likely on its way to south of Africa to spend the winter. They pass through most of east Europe but rarely cross through the UK.

As autumn migration season continues, we may get more unexpected birds arriving.

The magic of Minsmere

Robin Harvey, RSPB Estate Operations Manager for Minsmere, managed to take some photos of the rare bird.

Robin said:

“I was lucky that the Red-eyed Vireo perched at the top of a tree for a few minutes while I set the telescope up. They are hastily grabbed "phone-scoped" shots so OK considering!

“It's the first record of a Red-eyed Vireo at Minsmere, taking the total number of bird species seen here to 350! Obviously very exciting, especially for the keen Minsmere regulars.”

Ian added:

“RSPB Minsmere has a long and illustrious history of attracting rare and unusual birds. As well as many scarce breeding birds, such as Bitterns and Stone-curlews, many rare migrants have turned up over the 80 years that the RSPB has managed Minsmere.

“The Red-eyed Vireo was only the fifth one seen in Suffolk, and the first since 1995. It adds to Minsmere’s already impressive list of species as our nature reserve prepares to celebrate its 80th birthday in 2027!”

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Where else can I see migration?

Here in the UK about half of all our bird species migrate, and the return of many thousands of birds to our shores makes it an exciting time in the birdwatching calendar, event without the arrival of vagrants!

As autumn progresses, we will see huge numbers of ducks, geese, waders and other waterbirds arriving, heading to our wetlands and estuaries for food and shelter. We can also expect thrushes such as Redwings and Fieldfares to arrive from colder parts of Europe, drawn here by the food available in our hedgerows and trees.

With so many birds on the move, migration can be enjoyed all across our UK-wide network of nature reserves!

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Watching birds on the move

We asked the RSPB’s expert Luke Phillips for some top tips for where to watch migration. Here’s just a few of his favourites.

RSPB Dungeness

Located in the far south-east of England, this nature reserve is a great place to see migrants arrive from the near continent. It’s also brilliant for sea watching as lots of seabirds, ducks and geese migrate over the sea and pass by Dungeness. 

RSPB Bempton Cliffs

This coastal nature reserve is perfectly positioned for migrant birds arriving from Scandinavia. The bushes around the car park have hosted some very rare birds in the past! 

RSPB South Stack

Famed for its seabird colonies in spring, this coastal nature reserve is situated on the tip of northwest Wales on Ynys Môn (Anglesey), making a great place to see migrant birds pass by.

Belfast Window on Wildlife

An incredibly accessible place for visitors to see migrant waders and wildfowl which are always worth a closer look for any rarities that might have dropped in.

RSPB Loch of Strathbeg

This is one of our nearest nature reserves to Norway! So you if you’re lucky, a visit here could mean you see big arrivals of autumn migrants arriving from Scandinavia. 