Birds in Bedfordshire
Explore 161 species found in this region.
Bedfordshire may be one of England's smaller counties, but it supports a remarkably diverse range of birdlife, with around 160 species recorded across its varied habitats. From the wetlands of the Marston Vale and the River Great Ouse to ancient woodlands and open farmland, the county attracts everything from elegant Northern Pintails and Mandarin Ducks to scarcer visitors such as the Great Grey Shrike. Notable residents and passage migrants like the Eurasian Woodcock, Northern Lapwing, and Common Sandpiper make Bedfordshire a rewarding destination for birdwatchers throughout the year.
Visiting in April? Look out for Arctic Tern and Bar-tailed Godwit arriving this month, and Bohemian Waxwing and Curlew depart for the season.
Showing 1–23 of 161 species
Aquatic Warbler
Acrocephalus paludicolaVU
A globally threatened species recorded only as a rare passage visitor, with occasional June records at wetland sites.
Jun
Arctic Tern
Sterna paradisaeaLC
A rare spring passage migrant, occasionally dropping in at gravel pits and reservoirs during April.
Apr
Bar-headed Goose
Anser indicusLC
A rare passage visitor in July and August, likely an escapee from wildfowl collections rather than a genuine wild vagrant from its Central Asian range.
Jul–Aug
Bar-tailed Godwit
Limosa lapponicaNT
A rare spring passage visitor, very occasionally recorded at gravel pits and reservoirs during April migration.
Apr
Barn Owl
Tyto albaLC
A rare resident of farmland and field margins, hunting voles at dusk. Nest box schemes have aided local recovery.
May–Jan
Barn Swallow
Hirundo rusticaLC
A common summer visitor from April to October, nesting in farm buildings and foraging over fields and waterways.
Apr–Oct
Barnacle Goose
Branta leucopsisLC
A rare resident, present most months but scarce. Most records likely involve feral birds associating with Canada Goose flocks on lakes and gravel pits.
Jun–Apr
Black Tern
Chlidonias nigerLC
A rare autumn passage migrant, occasionally seen hawking over reservoirs and gravel pits in September.
Sep
Spotted something?
Upload a photo to identify it
Identify
Black-tailed Godwit
Limosa limosaNT
A rare passage wader seen at gravel pits and reservoirs in summer months. Most records fall between June and August.
Jun–Aug
Blackbird
Turdus merulaLC
One of the county's most abundant residents, thriving in gardens, parks and hedgerows throughout the year.
Year-round
Blackcap
Sylvia atricapillaLC
A common resident found in woodland and gardens year-round; winter numbers are boosted by Continental migrants.
Year-round
Blue Tit
Cyanistes caeruleusLC
A common and familiar garden resident year-round, readily using nest boxes. One of the most frequently seen birds in the county.
Year-round
Bohemian Waxwing
Bombycilla garrulusLC
A rare and irruptive winter visitor, appearing in some years to feast on berry-laden trees in towns and parks. Sightings cause great excitement among local birders.
Dec–Mar
Brambling
Fringilla montifringillaLC
A rare winter visitor from Scandinavia, sometimes joining Chaffinch flocks at woodland edges and farmland. Numbers vary greatly between years.
Oct–Apr
Bullfinch
Pyrrhula pyrrhulaLC
A rare but year-round resident of hedgerows, orchards and woodland scrub. Its soft piping call often betrays its presence before it is seen.
Year-round
Buzzard
Buteo buteoLC
A common resident often seen circling over farmland and woodland. Has increased markedly across Bedfordshire in recent decades.
Year-round
Canada Goose
Branta canadensisLC
A common and conspicuous resident breeding on lakes, rivers and gravel pits throughout the county. Large moulting flocks gather in late summer.
Year-round
Carrion Crow
Corvus coroneLC
A common and adaptable resident found across farmland, parks and urban areas throughout the county year-round.
Year-round
Cattle Egret
Bubulcus ibisLC
A rare passage visitor, with occasional January records reflecting this species' recent northward expansion in Britain. Typically found near wet grassland or lakes.
Jan
Cetti's Warbler
Cettia cettiLC
An uncommon but increasing resident of dense waterside vegetation, more often heard than seen at sites like Priory Country Park.
Year-round
Chaffinch
Fringilla coelebsLC
An abundant resident found year-round in woodlands, hedgerows and gardens across Bedfordshire. Males sing prominently from treetops in spring.
Year-round
Chiffchaff
Phylloscopus collybitaLC
A common resident heard singing its distinctive two-note call in woodlands and scrub. Some overwinter, boosted by continental arrivals.
Year-round
Coal Tit
Periparus aterLC
An uncommon resident favouring coniferous and mixed woodland. Less widespread here than in more heavily wooded counties.
Year-round