Birds in England
Explore 274 species found in this region.
England is home to an impressive diversity of birdlife, with 257 recorded species found across its varied landscapes — from coastal estuaries and chalk downlands to ancient woodlands and upland moors. Notable species include the striking Bluethroat, the charismatic Dotterel of mountain plateaux, and the elegant Eurasian Woodcock hidden among forest floors. Whether you're watching Great Tits in a suburban garden or scanning mudflats for Common Shelduck, England offers outstanding birding opportunities throughout the year.
Visiting in April? Look out for Arctic Tern and Bar-headed Goose arriving this month, and Bluethroat and Cackling Goose depart for the season.
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Get Your Free DigestShowing 1–23 of 274 species
American Golden-Plover
Pluvialis dominicaLC
A rare transatlantic vagrant, mostly recorded on coastal grasslands and ploughed fields in autumn. Often found among Golden Plover flocks.
Jun–Nov
Aquatic Warbler
Acrocephalus paludicolaVU
A rare passage migrant through southern coastal wetlands, mainly in autumn. Best looked for in sedge beds along the south coast, particularly in Dorset and Sussex.
Jun–Sep
Arctic Jaeger
Stercorarius parasiticusLC
An uncommon seabird seen mainly on passage off the coast from spring to autumn. Harasses terns and gulls to steal food in acrobatic aerial pursuits.
Mar–Dec
Arctic Loon
Gavia arcticaLC
A rare visitor mainly seen on coastal waters and reservoirs during winter. Largely absent through summer months.
Sep–May
Arctic Tern
Sterna paradisaeaLC
An uncommon breeder on northern English coasts, present from April to November. Farne Islands hosts notable colonies of this long-distance migrant.
Apr–Nov
Atlantic Puffin
Fratercula arcticaVU
Breeds at a few seabird colonies along the English coast, notably the Farne Islands. Spends much of the year at sea, returning to clifftop burrows in spring.
Year-round
Avocet
Recurvirostra avosettaLC
A striking black-and-white wader and symbol of the RSPB, now a common resident breeding on coastal lagoons and estuaries, especially in East Anglia.
Year-round
Baird's Sandpiper
Calidris bairdiiLC
A rare autumn vagrant from North America, occasionally found on coastal pools and mudflats between August and October.
Aug–Oct
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Balearic Shearwater
Puffinus mauretanicusCR
An uncommon seabird seen offshore from June to November, mainly from southern and south-western coasts. Critically endangered globally, making English sightings significant.
Jun–Nov
Bar-headed Goose
Anser indicusLC
A rare visitor, most likely an escapee from wildfowl collections. Occasionally seen on lakes and reservoirs, mainly in spring and summer.
Jan–Aug
Bar-tailed Godwit
Limosa lapponicaNT
An uncommon wader found on estuaries and sandy shores year-round, with peak numbers in winter when Arctic breeders arrive.
Year-round
Barn Owl
Tyto albaLC
A year-round resident of farmland, rough grassland, and church towers. Often seen hunting at dusk along field margins; populations have partially recovered after past declines.
Year-round
Barn Swallow
Hirundo rusticaLC
A beloved summer visitor arriving from Africa in March, commonly nesting in barns and outbuildings. Often seen hawking insects low over farmland and water.
Mar–Nov
Barnacle Goose
Branta leucopsisLC
A common resident, with feral populations in parks and wetlands supplemented by large winter flocks from Arctic breeding grounds, notably in the north-west.
Year-round
Bearded Tit
Panurus biarmicusLC
An uncommon resident of extensive reedbeds, with strongholds in East Anglia and the Somerset Levels. Often detected by distinctive pinging calls in autumn.
Year-round
Black Grouse
Lyrurus tetrixLC
A rare and declining resident confined to moorland edges in northern England. Males display at traditional lekking sites in early spring.
Year-round
Black Guillemot
Cepphus grylleLC
A rare breeder in England, found at a handful of sites in the far northwest. Favours rocky coastlines and harbours with sheltered nesting crevices.
Apr–Dec
Black Redstart
Phoenicurus ochrurosLC
An uncommon year-round resident, favouring industrial sites, power stations and urban buildings. Scarce as a breeder but more widespread in winter.
Year-round
Black Swan
Cygnus atratusLC
An introduced species found rarely on lakes and rivers. Small feral populations persist in scattered locations across England.
Year-round
Black Tern
Chlidonias nigerLC
An uncommon passage and summer visitor to freshwater lakes and reservoirs. Most regularly seen at inland wetlands during spring and autumn migration.
Apr–Nov
Black-crowned Night-heron
Nycticorax nycticoraxLC
An uncommon passage visitor to wetlands and reedbeds, most often seen between April and August. A small breeding population is becoming established.
Apr–Aug
Black-necked Grebe
Podiceps nigricollisLC
An uncommon resident grebe breeding at a handful of shallow lakes. In winter, gathers in small flocks on reservoirs and sheltered coastal waters.
Year-round
Black-tailed Godwit
Limosa limosaNT
Present year-round on estuaries and wet grasslands. The Ouse and Humber Washes host important breeding and wintering populations of this elegant wader.
Year-round