Birds in Bristol

Explore 124 species found in this region.

Bristol's diverse landscapes, from the tidal mudflats of the Severn Estuary to the wooded gorges and urban parks, support an impressive array of birdlife. With 123 species recorded across the county, birders can enjoy sightings ranging from familiar garden visitors like Great Tits and Magpies to wetland specialists such as Common Shelduck and Common Reed-warbler. The region's mix of estuarine, woodland, and grassland habitats makes it a rewarding destination for birdwatching throughout the year.

Visiting in April? Look out for Bar-tailed Godwit and Barn Swallow arriving this month, and Eurasian Wigeon and Firecrest depart for the season.

Goldcrest
GoldcrestSmallest · 8.5cm
to
Mute Swan
Mute SwanLargest · 160cm
Ranges from the Goldcrest (8.5cm) to the Mute Swan (160cm)43 families represented

Showing 1–23 of 124 species

ResidentLives here year-roundBreedingVisits to breed in warmer monthsNon-breedingVisits outside breeding seasonPassagePasses through during migrationCommonly spottedReported on most outingsUncommonly spottedPresent but not always seenRarely spottedFew sightings each year
Bar-tailed Godwit

Bar-tailed Godwit

Limosa lapponicaNT

A rare passage visitor, occasionally spotted along the Severn Estuary mudflats in April and August during spring and autumn migration.

PassageRarely spotted

Apr–Aug

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Barn Swallow

Barn Swallow

Hirundo rusticaLC

An uncommon breeding visitor from April to October, hawking insects over farmland, wetlands, and the Avon valley. Numbers have declined in recent decades.

BreedingUncommonly spotted

Apr–Oct

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Black Redstart

Black Redstart

Phoenicurus ochrurosLC

A rare autumn passage bird, occasionally seen around industrial buildings and the harbourside in November.

PassageRarely spotted

Nov

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Black-tailed Godwit

Black-tailed Godwit

Limosa limosaNT

A rare winter passage visitor in January and December, occasionally feeding on Severn Estuary mudflats.

PassageRarely spotted

Dec–Jan

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Blackbird

Blackbird

Turdus merulaLC

One of Bristol's most familiar residents, abundant in gardens, parks, and woodland year-round. Its melodious song is among the first heard at dawn.

ResidentCommonly spotted

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Blackcap

Blackcap

Sylvia atricapillaLC

A common resident found year-round in gardens, parks, and woodlands. Winter numbers are boosted by Continental migrants visiting berry-laden hedgerows.

ResidentCommonly spotted

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Blue Tit

Blue Tit

Cyanistes caeruleusLC

One of Bristol's most familiar garden birds, present year-round. A regular visitor to feeders and nest boxes across the city.

ResidentCommonly spotted

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Brambling

Brambling

Fringilla montifringillaLC

A rare autumn passage visitor, occasionally appearing at garden feeders in October and November alongside Chaffinch flocks.

PassageRarely spotted

Oct–Nov

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

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Brent Goose

Brent Goose

Branta berniclaLC

A rare passage visitor in April, occasionally spotted on the Severn Estuary mudflats during spring migration.

PassageRarely spotted

Apr

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Bullfinch

Bullfinch

Pyrrhula pyrrhulaLC

An uncommon but year-round resident of hedgerows and woodland edges. Its soft, piping call carries through Bristol's green corridors.

ResidentUncommonly spotted

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Buzzard

Buzzard

Buteo buteoLC

An uncommon but year-round resident, frequently seen soaring over farmland and green spaces on the city's edges.

ResidentUncommonly spotted

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Canada Goose

Canada Goose

Branta canadensisLC

An uncommon year-round resident, grazing on playing fields and park lakes across the Bristol area.

ResidentUncommonly spotted

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Carrion Crow

Carrion Crow

Corvus coroneLC

A familiar common resident found in every habitat from city parks to farmland. Often seen foraging boldly on lawns and streets.

ResidentCommonly spotted

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Cetti's Warbler

Cetti's Warbler

Cettia cettiLC

A rare but increasing resident of dense waterside vegetation. Its explosive song carries from reedbeds along the Avon and local wetland reserves.

ResidentRarely spotted

Sep–Jun

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Chaffinch

Chaffinch

Fringilla coelebsLC

An uncommon but widespread resident of woodland, hedgerows, and gardens. Its ringing song is a familiar sound in Bristol's parks year-round.

ResidentUncommonly spotted

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Chiffchaff

Chiffchaff

Phylloscopus collybitaLC

A common resident heard year-round in parks and woodlands. Its repetitive two-note song is one of the earliest signs of spring.

ResidentCommonly spotted

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Coal Tit

Coal Tit

Periparus aterLC

A common resident visiting garden feeders year-round. Favours coniferous and mixed woodland but adapts well to parks.

ResidentCommonly spotted

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Common Gull

Common Gull

Larus canusLC

A rare non-breeding visitor to playing fields, reservoirs, and the estuary. Most likely seen between autumn and early spring.

Non-breedingRarely spotted

Aug–Apr

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Common Kingfisher

Common Kingfisher

Alcedo atthisLC

Found year-round along the River Avon and its tributaries. A flash of electric blue is often the first sign of its presence.

ResidentUncommonly spotted

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Common Pheasant

Common Pheasant

Phasianus colchicusLC

A rare resident on the rural fringes of Bristol, found in farmland hedgerows and woodland edges.

ResidentRarely spotted

Jul–May

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Common Raven

Common Raven

Corvus coraxLC

Increasingly seen over Bristol, its deep cronking call and diamond-shaped tail distinguish it from crows. Breeds on the Avon Gorge cliffs.

ResidentUncommonly spotted

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Common Redpoll

Common Redpoll

Acanthis flammeaLC

A rare passage visitor from October to December, sometimes joining flocks of Lesser Redpolls in alders and birches along waterways.

PassageRarely spotted

Oct–Dec

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Common Redstart

Common Redstart

Phoenicurus phoenicurusLC

A rare passage migrant glimpsed in April, August, and October. Males in spring plumage show a striking orange breast and grey back.

PassageRarely spotted

Apr–Oct

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
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