Birds in Derbyshire
Explore 169 species found in this region.
Derbyshire is a wonderfully diverse county for birdwatching, with 168 species recorded across its varied landscapes of Peak District moorlands, limestone dales, reservoirs, and lowland farmland. From the elegant Northern Lapwing displaying over upland fields to the striking Great Grey Shrike on rare winter visits, the county offers rewarding birding throughout the year. Notable species include Eurasian Woodcock in its ancient woodlands, Common Merganser along its rivers, and the eye-catching Mandarin Duck, which has established a growing presence in the region.
Visiting in April? Look out for Arctic Tern and Barn Swallow arriving this month, and Cattle Egret and Greater White-fronted Goose depart for the season.
Showing 1–23 of 169 species
Arctic Tern
Sterna paradisaeaLC
A rare spring passage migrant, occasionally seen at larger reservoirs in April during northward migration to breeding grounds.
Apr
Barn Owl
Tyto albaLC
A rare but year-round resident of lowland farmland, hunting voles at dusk along field margins and river valleys.
Year-round
Barn Swallow
Hirundo rusticaLC
A common summer visitor breeding in farm buildings across the county, arriving in April and departing by October.
Apr–Oct
Barnacle Goose
Branta leucopsisLC
A rare resident, likely of feral origin. Small numbers frequent parkland lakes and reservoirs throughout much of the year.
Dec–Aug
Black Redstart
Phoenicurus ochrurosLC
A rare autumn passage migrant, occasionally spotted on rocky outcrops and industrial buildings in October. Much scarcer here than in southern England.
Oct
Black-tailed Godwit
Limosa limosaNT
A rare passage wader seen at reservoirs and wetland margins during late summer, typically July to September.
Jul–Sep
Blackbird
Turdus merulaLC
An abundant resident in gardens, woodland and hedgerows throughout the county. One of the most familiar birds in Derbyshire year-round.
Year-round
Blackcap
Sylvia atricapillaLC
A common warbler found in mature woodland and gardens. Some overwinter in Derbyshire, supplemented by continental birds visiting berry-laden hedgerows.
Jan–Nov
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Blue Tit
Cyanistes caeruleusLC
A common and familiar garden resident found throughout the county, readily using nest boxes in both rural and urban settings.
Year-round
Bohemian Waxwing
Bombycilla garrulusLC
An irruptive winter visitor, appearing in some years in berry-laden trees around Derbyshire's towns and gardens from November to January.
Nov–Jan
Brambling
Fringilla montifringillaLC
A rare winter visitor from Scandinavia, sometimes joining Chaffinch flocks in beech woodland and around farmland from October to April.
Oct–Apr
Bullfinch
Pyrrhula pyrrhulaLC
A common but unobtrusive resident of hedgerows, orchards, and woodland edges, often heard giving its soft piping call.
Year-round
Buzzard
Buteo buteoLC
A common resident frequently seen soaring over farmland, woodland edges and Peak District valleys throughout the year.
Year-round
Canada Goose
Branta canadensisLC
A common resident breeding on lakes, reservoirs and rivers across the county. Large moulting flocks gather in late summer.
Year-round
Carrion Crow
Corvus coroneLC
A common and adaptable resident found across all habitats from Peak District moorland edges to Derby's urban centre.
Year-round
Cattle Egret
Bubulcus ibisLC
A rare but increasingly recorded visitor, typically seen near livestock on lowland pastures. Part of a wider northward expansion across Britain.
Jun–Mar
Cetti's Warbler
Cettia cettiLC
An uncommon resident slowly colonising Derbyshire's wetland margins. More often heard than seen, its explosive song erupts from dense scrub.
Year-round
Chaffinch
Fringilla coelebsLC
A common and familiar resident of woodlands, hedgerows, and gardens throughout the county, often visiting feeders in winter.
Year-round
Chiffchaff
Phylloscopus collybitaLC
Resident year-round in Derbyshire's woodlands and hedgerows. Its repetitive two-note song is one of the earliest signs of spring.
Year-round
Coal Tit
Periparus aterLC
A common resident of coniferous and mixed woodland, readily visiting garden feeders especially in winter months.
Year-round
Common Gull
Larus canusLC
An uncommon resident frequenting reservoirs, playing fields, and farmland, with numbers boosted by winter visitors.
Jul–May
Common Kingfisher
Alcedo atthisLC
An uncommon but dazzling resident along clean rivers and streams, also visiting canal banks and reservoir edges.
Year-round
Common Loon
Gavia immerLC
A rare non-breeding visitor to larger reservoirs, mainly seen between December and April during harsh winter weather.
Dec–Apr