UK Wildlife

Smew Rare Winter Visitor from Russia

The smew is a small, distinctively marked sawbill duck that visits UK wetlands in cold winters from Russian breeding grounds, with the pied male and reddish-headed female highly prized by birdwatchers.

Key Facts

Smew is the smallest European sawbill, with a narrow serrated bill for catching fish
UK winter visitors usually number only 100-300 birds, more in cold Continental winters
Male is brilliant white with black eye patch and wing markings - called 'white nun'
Female and immature birds known as 'redheads' from their chestnut cap
Breeds in tree holes beside lakes and rivers in Russian taiga

Welfare Considerations

Smew are scarce and cold-dependent winter visitors. Their appearance in the UK is linked to severe weather on the Continent driving birds westward. Maintaining undisturbed freshwater reservoirs and gravel pits supports these occasional visitors.

What You Can Do

Maintain quiet zones at key reservoir sites used by smew in cold winters
Record smew through WeBS and BTO Birdtrack to track occurrence
Appreciate smew as a spectacular winter prize and support reservoir conservation