Birds in Cambridgeshire
Explore 181 species found in this region.
Cambridgeshire is home to a remarkable diversity of birdlife, with 177 species recorded across the county's varied landscapes of fenland, river valleys, farmland, and wetland reserves. The region's low-lying wetlands attract impressive numbers of wildfowl and waders, including Pink-footed Goose, Northern Pintail, and Northern Lapwing, while woodlands and hedgerows support resident species such as Great Tit and Magpie. Notable sites like the Ouse Washes and Wicken Fen make Cambridgeshire one of eastern England's premier birdwatching destinations.
Visiting in April? Look out for Arctic Tern and Bar-tailed Godwit arriving this month, and Brambling and Common Loon depart for the season.
Showing 1–23 of 181 species
Arctic Tern
Sterna paradisaeaLC
A rare spring passage migrant in April and May, occasionally seen over gravel pits and reservoirs heading north.
Apr–May
Avocet
Recurvirostra avosettaLC
A rare breeding visitor from March to July, nesting at shallow scrapes and lagoons on fenland reserves such as the Ouse Washes.
Mar–Jul
Bar-tailed Godwit
Limosa lapponicaNT
A rare April passage visitor, occasionally seen on flooded washes and muddy scrapes, far from its usual coastal haunts.
Apr
Barn Owl
Tyto albaLC
A scarce but charismatic resident of Fenland farmland, hunting voles along ditches and field margins at dusk and dawn.
Year-round
Barn Swallow
Hirundo rusticaLC
A common summer breeder hawking insects over farmland and villages from April to October. Often nests in barns and outbuildings across the county.
Apr–Oct
Barnacle Goose
Branta leucopsisLC
A rare resident, with records likely involving feral birds. Occasionally appears on gravel pits and fenland washes alongside other goose species.
Aug–May
Bearded Tit
Panurus biarmicusLC
A rare resident confined to extensive reedbeds at sites like Wicken Fen and the Ouse Washes. More often heard than seen, with a distinctive pinging call.
Year-round
Black Tern
Chlidonias nigerLC
A rare breeder and passage migrant, historically nested in the Fens and still seen hawking over lakes in spring and autumn.
Apr–Sep
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Black-crowned Night-heron
Nycticorax nycticoraxLC
A rare and exciting vagrant, occasionally recorded in June around the Fen waterways and wetland reserves.
Jun
Black-necked Grebe
Podiceps nigricollisLC
Rare passage visitor to Cambridgeshire lakes and gravel pits in late summer, most likely in August and September.
Aug–Sep
Black-tailed Godwit
Limosa limosaNT
Present year-round on the Ouse Washes and surrounding wet grasslands, an important site for this uncommon species nationally.
Year-round
Blackbird
Turdus merulaLC
An abundant year-round resident found in virtually every garden, park, and hedgerow. Winter numbers are boosted by Continental arrivals.
Year-round
Blackcap
Sylvia atricapillaLC
A common resident found in woodland, hedgerows, and gardens throughout the county. Some overwinter, supplemented by continental birds visiting berry-laden shrubs.
Year-round
Blue Tit
Cyanistes caeruleusLC
One of the county's most abundant and familiar garden birds, present year-round at feeders, in hedgerows, and in woodland.
Year-round
Bohemian Waxwing
Bombycilla garrulusLC
A rare and irruptive winter visitor, occasionally appearing in December to feed on berry-laden trees in towns and gardens.
Dec
Brambling
Fringilla montifringillaLC
A rare winter visitor from Scandinavia, sometimes joining chaffinch flocks on farmland and beneath beech trees.
Oct–Mar
Bullfinch
Pyrrhula pyrrhulaLC
An uncommon but year-round resident, favouring thick hedgerows, scrubby woodland edges and orchards. Its soft piping call often betrays its presence.
Year-round
Buzzard
Buteo buteoLC
Now the county's commonest raptor, regularly seen perched on fence posts or soaring over arable fields throughout the year.
Year-round
Canada Goose
Branta canadensisLC
A common and conspicuous resident of gravel pits, park lakes and river corridors throughout the county. Breeds readily in urban and rural settings.
Year-round
Carrion Crow
Corvus coroneLC
Abundant year-round across farmland, towns, and villages. One of the county's most familiar and adaptable birds.
Year-round
Cattle Egret
Bubulcus ibisLC
A rare but increasingly established resident, often found near livestock in Fenland pastures. A recent arrival to the county.
Year-round
Cetti's Warbler
Cettia cettiLC
An uncommon but increasing resident of dense waterside scrub and reedbeds. Its explosive song bursts from cover at sites like Wicken Fen year-round.
Year-round
Chaffinch
Fringilla coelebsLC
A common resident of hedgerows, gardens and woodland throughout the county. Winter flocks are often boosted by Continental migrants.
Year-round