Birds in Herefordshire

Explore 138 species found in this region.

Herefordshire is a richly diverse county for birdwatching, with 138 recorded species thriving across its patchwork of rolling farmland, ancient orchards, river valleys, and wooded hillsides. The River Wye and its tributaries attract species such as the Common Kingfisher and Common Sandpiper, while the county's meadows and hedgerows support birds like the European Green Woodpecker and Eurasian Collared Dove. From wintering wildfowl such as the Eurasian Wigeon and Goldeneye to the elusive call of the Common Quail in summer, Herefordshire offers rewarding birding throughout the year.

Visiting in April? Look out for Barn Owl and Barn Swallow arriving this month, and Cetti's Warbler and Common Gull 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)45 families represented

Showing 1–23 of 138 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
Barn Owl

Barn Owl

Tyto albaLC

A rare but cherished resident of Herefordshire's farmland, hunting voles over rough grassland at dawn and dusk.

ResidentRarely spotted

Feb–Oct

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 across the county's farmland, arriving in April and departing by October.

BreedingCommonly spotted

Apr–Oct

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

Black Redstart

Phoenicurus ochrurosLC

A rare passage visitor, occasionally recorded around buildings and rocky sites in late winter. A scarce find anywhere in the county.

PassageRarely spotted

Feb

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

Black-tailed Godwit

Limosa limosaNT

A rare passage migrant seen briefly in April and September on flooded meadows and pools in the Wye and Lugg valleys.

PassageRarely spotted

Apr–Sep

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

Blackbird

Turdus merulaLC

Abundant in gardens, hedgerows and woodland throughout the county. A familiar sight foraging on Herefordshire's lawns in every season.

ResidentCommonly spotted

Year-round

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

Blackcap

Sylvia atricapillaLC

A common resident, breeding in woodland and scrub. Winter numbers are boosted by continental birds visiting garden feeders.

ResidentCommonly spotted

Year-round

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

Blue Tit

Cyanistes caeruleusLC

One of the county's most familiar garden birds, present year-round and a regular visitor to feeders and nest boxes.

ResidentCommonly spotted

Year-round

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

Bohemian Waxwing

Bombycilla garrulusLC

A rare and irruptive winter visitor, occasionally appearing in February to feed on berry-laden trees in towns and gardens during invasion years.

PassageRarely spotted

Feb

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

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Brambling

Brambling

Fringilla montifringillaLC

A rare winter visitor from Scandinavia, sometimes joining chaffinch flocks on farmland and beneath beech trees from October to early spring.

Non-breedingRarely spotted

Oct–Apr

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

Bullfinch

Pyrrhula pyrrhulaLC

An uncommon but year-round resident, favouring thick hedgerows and orchards. Often seen in pairs feeding quietly on buds and berries.

ResidentUncommonly spotted

Year-round

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

Buzzard

Buteo buteoLC

A common and conspicuous resident, frequently seen soaring over the county's rolling farmland and wooded hills. Herefordshire is a stronghold.

ResidentCommonly spotted

Year-round

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

Canada Goose

Branta canadensisLC

A common resident found on lakes, rivers and farmland pools throughout the county, often in noisy flocks on gravel banks.

ResidentCommonly spotted

Year-round

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

Carrion Crow

Corvus coroneLC

A common and conspicuous resident across all habitats, from farmland and woodland to towns and gardens.

ResidentCommonly spotted

Year-round

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

Cetti's Warbler

Cettia cettiLC

A rare passage visitor in spring, occasionally heard giving its explosive song from dense waterside scrub along the Wye and Lugg valleys.

PassageRarely spotted

Mar–May

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

Chaffinch

Fringilla coelebsLC

A common resident found in woodlands, hedgerows, and gardens throughout the year. One of the county's most familiar songbirds.

ResidentCommonly spotted

Year-round

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

Chiffchaff

Phylloscopus collybitaLC

A common year-round resident whose repetitive song is heard in woodland and hedgerows. Some overwinter in sheltered valleys.

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, especially in winter months.

ResidentCommonly spotted

Year-round

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

Common Gull

Larus canusLC

A rare visitor mainly in winter and early spring, occasionally joining gull flocks on playing fields and reservoirs.

ResidentRarely spotted

Sep–Mar

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

Common Kingfisher

Alcedo atthisLC

An uncommon but prized resident along the Wye and Lugg, flashing electric blue along clean riverbanks year-round.

ResidentUncommonly spotted

Year-round

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

Common Merganser

Mergus merganserLC

An uncommon resident breeding along the Wye and its tributaries. Often seen in small parties fishing the clear, fast-flowing stretches.

ResidentUncommonly spotted

Year-round

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

Common Pheasant

Phasianus colchicusLC

Abundant year-round across farmland and hedgerows, sustained by regular releases for shooting on the county's many estates.

ResidentCommonly spotted

Year-round

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

Common Quail

Coturnix coturnixLC

A rare and elusive passage visitor, more often heard than seen calling from arable fields in June.

PassageRarely spotted

Jun

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

Common Raven

Corvus coraxLC

A common resident thriving in the county's hilly western borderlands. Its deep, resonant croak and acrobatic flight are unmistakable.

ResidentCommonly spotted

Year-round

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