Birds in Cornwall

Explore 223 species found in this region.

Cornwall's dramatic coastline, sheltered estuaries, and windswept moorlands provide habitat for an impressive diversity of birdlife, with 213 species recorded across the county. From elegant waders such as the Northern Lapwing and Dotterel to colourful residents like the Great Tit and Magpie, the region offers outstanding birding opportunities year-round. Cornwall's position as Britain's south-westernmost county also makes it a renowned hotspot for rare migrants and overwintering wildfowl, including species such as the Common Shelduck, Northern Pintail, and Mandarin Duck.

Visiting in April? Look out for Common Redstart and Common Reed-warbler arriving this month, and Common Kingfisher and Common Merganser 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)56 families represented

Showing 1–23 of 223 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
American Black Duck

American Black Duck

Anas rubripesLC

A rare transatlantic vagrant, occasionally turning up on Cornish estuaries in autumn among flocks of dabbling ducks.

PassageRarely spotted

Oct

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
American Golden-Plover

American Golden-Plover

Pluvialis dominicaLC

A rare Nearctic vagrant, occasionally found among Golden Plover flocks on Cornish fields during autumn passage in October.

PassageRarely spotted

Oct

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

Arctic Jaeger

Stercorarius parasiticusLC

Seen offshore from headlands like Pendeen and Porthgwarra during summer and autumn, harrying terns and gulls for food.

ResidentUncommonly spotted

Jun–Nov

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

Arctic Loon

Gavia arcticaLC

A rare non-breeding visitor to Cornish coastal waters from November to April. Often seen singly in sheltered bays and harbours.

Non-breedingRarely spotted

Nov–Apr

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

Arctic Tern

Sterna paradisaeaLC

A scarce autumn passage migrant seen offshore from August to October, best spotted during seawatches at headlands.

PassageRarely spotted

Aug–Oct

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

Atlantic Puffin

Fratercula arcticaVU

Breeds in small numbers on offshore islands, best seen from boat trips around the north coast cliffs in summer.

BreedingRarely spotted

Mar–Oct

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

Avocet

Recurvirostra avosettaLC

A striking black-and-white wader, occasionally wintering on sheltered Cornish estuaries. Sweeps its upcurved bill through shallow water.

Non-breedingRarely spotted

Nov–Feb

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Baird's Sandpiper

Baird's Sandpiper

Calidris bairdiiLC

An extremely rare Nearctic vagrant, occasionally recorded in September on coastal pools and short grassland.

PassageRarely spotted

Sep

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

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Balearic Shearwater

Balearic Shearwater

Puffinus mauretanicusCR

An uncommon but increasingly regular visitor from June to November. This globally threatened shearwater favours Cornish headland seawatches.

ResidentUncommonly spotted

Jun–Nov

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Bar-headed Goose

Bar-headed Goose

Anser indicusLC

A rare visitor of likely captive origin, occasionally recorded in July. Not a naturally occurring species in Britain.

PassageRarely spotted

Jul

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

Bar-tailed Godwit

Limosa lapponicaNT

Frequents sandy estuaries such as the Camel and Hayle throughout the year, probing tidal flats with its distinctive upturned bill.

ResidentUncommonly spotted

Year-round

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

Barn Owl

Tyto albaLC

Rarely recorded on passage in early summer. Cornwall's open farmland offers suitable hunting habitat.

PassageRarely spotted

Jun–Jul

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

Barn Swallow

Hirundo rusticaLC

A common summer visitor breeding in barns and outbuildings from March to November. Gathers in large pre-migration flocks along Cornish reedbeds in autumn.

BreedingCommonly spotted

Mar–Nov

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

Barnacle Goose

Branta leucopsisLC

A rare October passage visitor, with small numbers occasionally appearing on coastal grassland and estuaries during autumn movements.

PassageRarely spotted

Oct

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

Black Redstart

Phoenicurus ochrurosLC

An uncommon non-breeding visitor favouring harbours, cliffs, and coastal buildings. Present from autumn through spring in Cornwall's mild conditions.

Non-breedingUncommonly spotted

Oct–Apr

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

Black Tern

Chlidonias nigerLC

A rare passage visitor in late summer, sometimes seen dipping over estuaries and sheltered bays during August and September.

PassageRarely spotted

Aug–Sep

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Black-necked Grebe

Black-necked Grebe

Podiceps nigricollisLC

A rare passage visitor to sheltered Cornish bays and estuaries in midwinter, often associating with other grebes in calm coastal waters.

PassageRarely spotted

Jan–Feb

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

Black-tailed Godwit

Limosa limosaNT

Uncommon but present year-round, favouring estuarine mudflats at sites like the Hayle Estuary and Camel Estuary.

ResidentUncommonly spotted

Year-round

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

Blackbird

Turdus merulaLC

One of Cornwall's most abundant residents, thriving in gardens, hedgerows, and woodland. Numbers increase in autumn with continental migrants.

ResidentCommonly spotted

Year-round

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

Blackcap

Sylvia atricapillaLC

Common year-round in woodland and gardens. Summer breeders are joined by continental wintering birds that readily take fruit from feeders.

ResidentCommonly spotted

Year-round

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

Blackpoll Warbler

Setophaga striataNT

A rare Nearctic vagrant, occasionally making landfall in October after transatlantic crossings. Cornwall is a prime site for this species in Britain.

PassageRarely spotted

Oct

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

Blue Tit

Cyanistes caeruleusLC

A common and familiar resident of gardens, hedgerows, and woodland throughout Cornwall. Readily visits feeders year-round.

ResidentCommonly spotted

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Bonaparte's Gull

Bonaparte's Gull

Chroicocephalus philadelphiaLC

A very rare Nearctic vagrant, with occasional records among Black-headed Gull flocks in winter and spring.

PassageRarely spotted

Jan–May

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