European cold snap increases the chances of spotting rare birds in the UK

More redwings and fieldfares could make their migration down to the UK due to unsettled weather in northern Europe - (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

The UK could see more rare birds in 2026 thanks to cold and unsettled weather in Europe, the RSPB have said.

Bird watchers may have a better chance at spotting both fieldfare and redwing, which tend to inhabit the continent for most of the year before spending winter in the UK to avoid extreme cold in northern parts of Europe, such as Poland and Scandinavia.