Birds in Cheshire

Explore 182 species found in this region.

Cheshire is a rewarding county for birdwatchers, supporting 178 recorded species across a rich mosaic of habitats including meres, mosses, farmland, estuaries, and woodland. The Dee Estuary and wetlands such as those at Woolston Eyes attract notable species like Great White Egret, Hen Harrier, and Goldeneye, while resident birds such as Cetti's Warbler and Linnet can be found year-round. From wintering wildfowl to summer visitors like the Common Swift, Cheshire offers excellent birding opportunities throughout the seasons.

Visiting in April? Look out for Arctic Tern and Common Redstart arriving this month, and Eurasian Bittern and Eurasian Woodcock depart for the season.

Goldcrest
GoldcrestSmallest · 8.5cm
to
Whooper Swan
Whooper SwanLargest · 165cm
Ranges from the Goldcrest (8.5cm) to the Whooper Swan (165cm)48 families represented

Showing 1–23 of 182 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
Arctic Tern

Arctic Tern

Sterna paradisaeaLC

A rare spring passage visitor, briefly passing through in April on its way to Arctic breeding grounds. Most likely at coastal sites along the Dee or Mersey.

PassageRarely spotted

Apr

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

Avocet

Recurvirostra avosettaLC

An uncommon visitor present from February to November, favouring the Dee Estuary marshes and nearby wetlands for feeding.

ResidentUncommonly spotted

Feb–Nov

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

Bar-tailed Godwit

Limosa lapponicaNT

A rare visitor to the Dee Estuary and coastal marshes, mainly on passage from March to October.

BreedingRarely spotted

Mar–Oct

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

Barn Owl

Tyto albaLC

A rare but cherished resident of Cheshire's farmland, hunting voles over rough grassland and nesting in purpose-built boxes on barns.

ResidentRarely spotted

Year-round

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

Barn Swallow

Hirundo rusticaLC

A common summer visitor from March to October, nesting in barns and outbuildings across Cheshire's farmland. A welcome herald of spring.

BreedingCommonly spotted

Mar–Oct

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

Barnacle Goose

Branta leucopsisLC

A rare resident, mostly feral birds mixing with Canada Goose flocks on meres and parkland lakes year-round.

ResidentRarely spotted

Year-round

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

Black Swan

Cygnus atratusLC

A rare and likely escaped species, occasionally seen on meres and lakes, mainly in autumn and winter months.

PassageRarely spotted

Sep–Jan

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

Black Tern

Chlidonias nigerLC

A rare autumn passage migrant, occasionally seen hawking over meres and reservoirs in September. Its dark plumage and buoyant flight are distinctive.

PassageRarely spotted

Sep

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

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Black-necked Grebe

Black-necked Grebe

Podiceps nigricollisLC

A rare breeding visitor to Cheshire's meres, present from March to September. One of the county's scarcest nesting waterbirds, favouring sheltered, vegetated pools.

BreedingRarely spotted

Mar–Sep

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

Black-tailed Godwit

Limosa limosaNT

An uncommon resident found year-round, favouring wet grasslands and estuarine habitats, particularly around the Dee Estuary.

ResidentUncommonly spotted

Year-round

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

Blackbird

Turdus merulaLC

An abundant resident found in virtually every Cheshire garden, park and hedgerow, singing melodiously year-round.

ResidentCommonly spotted

Year-round

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

Blackcap

Sylvia atricapillaLC

A common warbler found year-round, with breeding birds in woodland and continental visitors supplementing numbers at garden feeders in winter.

ResidentCommonly spotted

Year-round

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

Blue Tit

Cyanistes caeruleusLC

A common and much-loved garden resident across Cheshire, readily visiting feeders year-round and nesting enthusiastically in nest boxes.

ResidentCommonly spotted

Year-round

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

Brambling

Fringilla montifringillaLC

A rare winter visitor from Scandinavia, arriving from October and lingering into early spring. Often found among Chaffinch flocks beneath beech trees.

Non-breedingRarely spotted

Oct–Apr

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

Bullfinch

Pyrrhula pyrrhulaLC

An unobtrusive resident of hedgerows and woodland edges, often betrayed by its soft, piping call. Declining nationally.

ResidentUncommonly spotted

Year-round

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

Buzzard

Buteo buteoLC

A common resident soaring over farmland, woodland edges, and increasingly suburban areas. Has recovered strongly across Cheshire following historical persecution.

ResidentCommonly spotted

Year-round

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

Canada Goose

Branta canadensisLC

Common and conspicuous on lakes, meres and park ponds throughout the year. Large moulting flocks form in summer.

ResidentCommonly spotted

Year-round

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

Carrion Crow

Corvus coroneLC

One of Cheshire's most familiar birds, this adaptable resident thrives in every habitat from farmland and moorland edge to urban centres.

ResidentCommonly spotted

Year-round

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

Cattle Egret

Bubulcus ibisLC

A rare but increasingly recorded breeder, reflecting a recent northward expansion across England. Favours damp pastures alongside livestock from spring to autumn.

BreedingRarely spotted

Mar–Nov

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

Cetti's Warbler

Cettia cettiLC

An uncommon but expanding resident, more often heard than seen, its explosive song rings out from dense reedbed and waterside scrub.

ResidentUncommonly spotted

Year-round

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

Chaffinch

Fringilla coelebsLC

A common and widespread resident of woodland, hedgerows and gardens, with a cheerful descending song heard from late winter.

ResidentCommonly spotted

Year-round

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

Chiffchaff

Phylloscopus collybitaLC

A common warbler now present year-round in Cheshire, with overwintering birds increasingly noted in milder winters alongside spring arrivals.

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 of coniferous and mixed woodland, readily visiting garden feeders. Its distinctive call is a familiar sound in Cheshire's forests.

ResidentCommonly spotted

Year-round

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