Birds in Buckinghamshire
Explore 134 species found in this region.
Buckinghamshire is home to an impressive 134 recorded bird species, reflecting the county's diverse mix of habitats including the Chiltern Hills, ancient woodlands, farmland, and river valleys such as the Thames and Great Ouse. From iconic species like the Barn Owl hunting over open fields to the striking Mandarin Duck found along wooded waterways, the county offers rewarding birdwatching throughout the year. Wetland areas and reservoirs also attract notable visitors such as the Common Merganser, Greenshank, and Common Sandpiper, particularly during migration seasons.
Visiting in April? Look out for Barn Swallow and Common Redstart arriving this month, and Brambling and Eurasian Siskin depart for the season.
Showing 1–23 of 134 species
Barn Owl
Tyto albaLC
A rare passage record, likely involving a wandering individual in February. Breeding populations persist in the wider county but are thinly spread.
Feb
Barn Swallow
Hirundo rusticaLC
A summer visitor breeding around farms and rural buildings across Buckinghamshire from April to October. Declining nationally, making its graceful aerial foraging over fields an increasingly precious sight.
Apr–Oct
Barnacle Goose
Branta leucopsisLC
A rare autumn passage visitor, with occasional September records likely involving feral or wandering birds rather than true wild migrants.
Sep
Black Swan
Cygnus atratusLC
A rare visitor, likely an escapee from ornamental collections. Occasionally recorded on larger lakes in autumn.
Sep–Nov
Black Tern
Chlidonias nigerLC
A rare September passage migrant, occasionally seen hawking insects over reservoirs and gravel pits on autumn migration.
Sep
Black-tailed Godwit
Limosa limosaNT
A rare passage migrant in July–August, pausing at reservoir edges and flooded fields on southward migration.
Jul–Aug
Blackbird
Turdus merulaLC
One of the most abundant and familiar birds in the county, thriving in gardens, parks and woodland. Its rich, fluty song is a hallmark of Buckinghamshire evenings.
Year-round
Blackcap
Sylvia atricapillaLC
A common resident found in woodland and gardens year-round. Summer breeders are joined by wintering continental birds feeding on ivy berries.
Dec–Oct
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Blue Tit
Cyanistes caeruleusLC
One of the county's most familiar garden birds, readily using nest boxes and feeders year-round. Its cheerful song is among the first heard in late winter.
Year-round
Bohemian Waxwing
Bombycilla garrulusLC
A rare irruptive winter visitor, occasionally appearing in January to feed on berry-laden trees in parks and suburban areas during invasion years.
Jan
Brambling
Fringilla montifringillaLC
A rare winter visitor from Scandinavia, sometimes joining Chaffinch flocks in beech woodland and farmland, particularly in the Chiltern Hills.
Oct–Mar
Bullfinch
Pyrrhula pyrrhulaLC
A rare but year-round resident of hedgerows, orchards and woodland edges. Its soft piping call is often heard before the bird is seen.
Year-round
Buzzard
Buteo buteoLC
An uncommon but increasing resident, often seen soaring over farmland and woodland edges in the Chilterns and Aylesbury Vale.
Year-round
Canada Goose
Branta canadensisLC
A common year-round resident found on lakes, reservoirs and gravel pits across the county. Often seen grazing on playing fields and parkland.
Year-round
Carrion Crow
Corvus coroneLC
Widespread and adaptable across the county, thriving in farmland, woodland edges, parks and urban areas alike. A resourceful and intelligent year-round resident.
Year-round
Cetti's Warbler
Cettia cettiLC
An uncommon but increasing resident of wetland margins and dense waterside vegetation. More often heard than seen, with its explosive burst of song.
Year-round
Chaffinch
Fringilla coelebsLC
A common year-round resident of woodlands, hedgerows and gardens. Winter flocks often gather on farmland, sometimes joined by continental migrants.
Year-round
Chiffchaff
Phylloscopus collybitaLC
Common in woodlands, hedgerows and parks, with some birds now overwintering in the county. Its distinctive two-note song is one of the earliest signs of spring in Buckinghamshire.
Year-round
Coal Tit
Periparus aterLC
Favours coniferous and mixed woodland across the county, often visiting garden feeders in winter. Smaller and less conspicuous than the more familiar blue and great tits.
Year-round
Common Gull
Larus canusLC
An uncommon resident found at reservoirs and farmland, scarcer in summer. Often mixes with Black-headed Gull flocks.
Jul–Apr
Common Kingfisher
Alcedo atthisLC
An uncommon year-round resident along clean rivers and streams. A flash of electric blue along the Thames and Chess is always a thrill.
Year-round
Common Merganser
Mergus merganserLC
An uncommon winter visitor to rivers and reservoirs from November to April. Most often seen on the Thames and larger gravel pits.
Nov–Apr
Common Pheasant
Phasianus colchicusLC
An uncommon year-round resident of farmland, hedgerows and woodland edges. Numbers sustained largely by annual releases for shooting.
Year-round