Birds in Cumbria
Explore 187 species found in this region.
Cumbria is one of England's most rewarding counties for birdwatching, with 184 recorded species found across its diverse landscapes of lakes, estuaries, upland fells, and ancient woodlands. The region's varied habitats attract everything from wintering wildfowl such as Pink-footed Goose and Northern Pintail on the Solway Firth to breeding waders like Northern Lapwing and Common Sandpiper along the Lake District's shores. Woodland species including Great Tit and the striking Mandarin Duck can also be encountered, while the county's coastline and river systems support populations of Common Merganser and Common Shelduck year-round.
Visiting in April? Look out for Black Grouse and Black Guillemot arriving this month, and Bar-tailed Godwit and Eurasian Bittern depart for the season.
Showing 1–23 of 187 species
Arctic Jaeger
Stercorarius parasiticusLC
A rare spring passage migrant seen offshore from Cumbria's coast, often harassing terns and gulls as it heads north to breed.
May
Arctic Tern
Sterna paradisaeaLC
A rare summer breeder from May to July, nesting at a few coastal and island sites. Elegant in flight with deeply forked tail.
May–Jul
Atlantic Puffin
Fratercula arcticaVU
A rare passage visitor seen offshore in summer, occasionally close to the coast at St Bees Head. Does not breed in Cumbria.
Jun–Jul
Bar-headed Goose
Anser indicusLC
A rare summer visitor, likely an escapee from wildfowl collections. Occasionally seen on lakes and wetlands in June and July.
Jun–Jul
Bar-tailed Godwit
Limosa lapponicaNT
A rare but year-round visitor to Cumbria's estuaries, favouring the sandy shores and mudflats of Morecambe Bay and the Solway.
May–Mar
Barn Owl
Tyto albaLC
A rare but year-round resident of lowland farmland and field margins. Often glimpsed at dusk hunting along roadsides and over rough grassland.
Aug–Jun
Barn Swallow
Hirundo rusticaLC
A common summer breeder from March to October, nesting in barns and farm buildings across Cumbrian valleys.
Mar–Oct
Barnacle Goose
Branta leucopsisLC
Present year-round, with Svalbard birds wintering on the Solway marshes alongside a small feral population.
Year-round
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Black Grouse
Lyrurus tetrixLC
A rare spring visitor to moorland edges in the North Pennines fringe. Lekking males may be seen in April and May.
Apr–May
Black Guillemot
Cepphus grylleLC
A rare breeder on Cumbria's rocky coast, notably around St Bees Head. Distinctive red feet and white wing patches aid identification.
Apr–Jul
Black Tern
Chlidonias nigerLC
A rare autumn passage migrant, occasionally seen in September at coastal pools and inland lakes during southward migration.
Sep
Black-tailed Godwit
Limosa limosaNT
Present year-round in small numbers on Cumbrian estuaries and coastal wetlands. A declining species nationally, making local sightings notable.
Year-round
Blackbird
Turdus merulaLC
Abundant in gardens, woodlands, and hedgerows throughout Cumbria. Numbers boosted in autumn by continental migrants.
Year-round
Blackcap
Sylvia atricapillaLC
An uncommon resident, breeding in Cumbrian woodlands in summer with some continental birds wintering at garden feeders.
Apr–Feb
Blue Tit
Cyanistes caeruleusLC
A common and familiar garden resident year-round, thriving in Cumbrian woodlands, hedgerows, and suburban areas.
Year-round
Bohemian Waxwing
Bombycilla garrulusLC
A rare and irruptive winter visitor, appearing in some years to feed on rowan and cotoneaster berries in Cumbrian towns.
Nov–Dec
Brambling
Fringilla montifringillaLC
A scarce winter visitor from Scandinavia, occasionally joining Chaffinch flocks at beech mast sites in Cumbrian woodlands from October to April.
Oct–Apr
Brent Goose
Branta berniclaLC
A rare non-breeding visitor to Cumbrian estuaries, mainly around Morecambe Bay. Present from autumn through to spring.
Sep–Apr
Bullfinch
Pyrrhula pyrrhulaLC
A shy, year-round resident of hedgerows and woodland edges, often detected by its soft, melancholy call before it is seen.
Year-round
Buzzard
Buteo buteoLC
A common resident soaring over farmland, fell edges and valleys throughout the year. One of Cumbria's most frequently seen raptors.
Year-round
Canada Goose
Branta canadensisLC
A common resident on lakes, rivers and parkland throughout the county, breeding readily on Cumbrian waters.
Year-round
Carrion Crow
Corvus coroneLC
A common and adaptable resident found across Cumbrian farmland, fell edges, and towns throughout the year.
Year-round
Cetti's Warbler
Cettia cettiLC
A rare but expanding resident, its explosive song occasionally heard from dense wetland scrub at scattered Cumbrian sites.
Aug–Jun