November marks the start of winter in the UK, when temperatures drop and food becomes more scarce. This change in conditions prompts many bird species that bred in the UK over the spring and summer to migrate south to warmer climates for the winter. In this article, we’ll look at the major migratory bird groups and key species that leave the UK in November.
Waterfowl
Many ducks, geese, and swans that breed in the UK migrate south in November. These waterfowl species fly to coastal wetlands and lakes further south in Europe or even as far as Africa to overwinter. Some of the main waterfowl that migrate from the UK in November include:
- Bewick’s Swan – Most of the wintering population in the UK migrates to the Netherlands, Germany and Denmark in November.
- Whooper Swan – Most migrate from Iceland and northern UK to Ireland and southern UK for the winter.
- Pink-footed Goose – Migrate from Iceland and northern UK to Belgium, the Netherlands and eastern England for the winter.
- Greylag Goose – Icelandic and northern UK breeders migrate south to southern UK and continental Europe in November.
- Barnacle Goose – Nearly the entire Svalbard breeding population winters in Scotland and Ireland after migrating through Norway in November.
- Common Shelduck – UK breeding birds migrate down the east coast of England to the Wadden Sea, France and Spain for winter.
- Eurasian Wigeon – Breeding wigeons migrate from Iceland and northern UK to Ireland, southern UK, France and Spain in November.
- Gadwall – Migrate from northern breeding areas to southern UK, Ireland and southern Europe for the winter.
- Common Pochard – Northern breeding populations migrate south to southern UK and as far as the Mediterranean for winter.
- Tufted Duck – Migrate from Iceland and northern UK to Ireland, southern UK and continental Europe in November.
Wading Birds
Wading birds such as plovers, sandpipers, curlews and godwits that nest in the UK over the summer also migrate out in November. They fly south to coastal wetlands for the winter. Some key migrating wader species are:
- Northern Lapwing – Breeding birds in Iceland, northern UK and Scandinavia migrate south to Ireland, southern UK, France and Iberia for winter.
- Eurasian Curlew – Most leave the UK in November, migrating south to France, Spain and northwest Africa for the winter.
- Common Redshank – Northern breeding populations migrate south to Ireland, southern UK and southern Europe in November.
- Ruddy Turnstone – Most leave northern nesting areas like Iceland and Scandinavia to winter along Atlantic coasts down to West Africa.
- Dunlin – Northern breeding dunlins migrate down the UK east coast and North Sea to winter in western Africa.
- Common Snipe – Birds breeding in Iceland, Scandinavia and northern UK migrate south to Ireland, southern UK and southern Europe for winter.
Seabirds
Many seabirds also leave their cliffside breeding colonies in the UK in November and head out to sea for the winter. This includes various petrels, skuas, terns and gulls. Examples of migrating seabirds are:
- Manx Shearwater – Most of the world population breeds on islands off Wales, Ireland and Scotland. In November, they migrate far out into the South Atlantic off southern Brazil.
- European Storm Petrel – Migrate from breeding sites in northwest Europe out into the Atlantic and Mediterranean for the winter.
- Arctic Skua – Breed in Scotland and northern England then migrate to winter off the coasts of west Africa.
- Common Tern – Summer visitors to the UK from further north migrate back to western and southern Africa for the winter.
- Black-headed Gull – Numerous gulls breed across the UK then migrate south to winter in Europe as far as the Mediterranean.
- Common Gull – Migrate from breeding sites in Scotland, northern England and Scandinavia to winter along North Sea coasts and the Atlantic.
Raptors
Some birds of prey such as falcons, hawks and harriers also vacate the UK in November. They migrate south to warmer regions with more abundant food supplies before returning to breed in spring. Raptors that migrate from the UK in November include:
- Osprey – UK breeding ospreys migrate to western Africa, spending winter around the Gulf of Guinea.
- Hobby – Migrate from across Europe to winter in central and southern Africa.
- Merlin – Breeding birds from UK, Iceland and Scandinavia fly south to winter around the Mediterranean.
- Hen Harrier – Birds from northern UK, Ireland and Scandinavia migrate south to southern Europe and North Africa for winter.
- Short-eared Owl – Northern populations move south in autumn to areas like southern Europe and North Africa for the winter months.
Passerines
Many small woodland and grassland songbirds known as passerines also leave the UK in November on their migrations further south. These include warblers, flycatchers, thrushes, finches, buntings and more. Some examples are:
- Common Chiffchaff – This warbler winters in southern Europe, north Africa and the Middle East after breeding farther north.
- Willow Warbler – Migrates from breeding sites in northern Europe all the way to sub-Saharan Africa for the winter.
- Spotted Flycatcher – Breeds across much of Europe then migrates south through Italy and Greece to Africa for winter.
- Fieldfare – These thrushes migrate from Scandinavia and northern Europe to winter in the UK and southern Europe.
- Redwing – Breed in Scandinavia and northern UK before migrating south to wintering sites in western Europe.
- Brambling – Migrate from northern Europe to winter in southern UK and southern Europe.
- Reed Bunting – Northern breeders migrate south to France, Iberia and North Africa for the winter.
Other Migrating Birds
Some other birds that vacate the UK in November are:
- Swift – These aerial feeders leave their breeding sites right across Europe in November, migrating all the way to central and southern Africa for winter.
- Cuckoo – Migrate from Europe and Asia to spend winter in sub-Saharan Africa.
- Barn Swallow – Abundant summer visitor that migrates south from the UK through western Europe and over the Mediterranean to winter in Africa.
- House Martin – Breeds all over Europe before migrating on a broad front to winter in sub-Saharan Africa.
- Yellow Wagtail – Different subspecies migrate from Europe to wintering grounds in Africa south of the Sahara desert.
- Common Nightingale – Migrate from breeding areas across Europe to sub-Saharan Africa for the winter months.
Conclusion
November sees a major exodus of birds from the UK as many species migrate south to warmer wintering grounds. Waterfowl, waders, seabirds, raptors and passerines all vacate the country throughout the month on their southerly migrations. The specific wintering destinations span from southern Europe and North Africa to as far away as southern Africa for species like swifts, swallows and nightingales. While the UK loses many bird species in November due to migration, the influx of winter visitors from the north like fieldfares, redwings and Bewick’s swans – along with birds from Greenland, Iceland and Scandinavia – help compensate for the departing migrants.