Birds in Hertfordshire
Explore 153 species found in this region.
Hertfordshire's diverse landscape of reservoirs, river valleys, ancient woodlands, and farmland supports an impressive array of 153 recorded bird species. From the striking Mandarin Duck and Red-crested Pochard found on the county's lakes and waterways to familiar garden visitors like the Great Tit and Magpie, the region offers rewarding birdwatching throughout the year. Notable wetland sites attract waders such as the Northern Lapwing and Common Sandpiper, while the Eurasian Woodcock can be encountered in the county's wooded areas.
Visiting in April? Look out for Arctic Tern and Common Reed-warbler arriving this month, and Common Merganser and Eurasian Bittern depart for the season.
Showing 1–23 of 153 species
Aquatic Warbler
Acrocephalus paludicolaVU
An exceptionally rare passage visitor, globally threatened and only very occasionally recorded. Any sighting in Hertfordshire is a major county event.
Jun
Arctic Tern
Sterna paradisaeaLC
A rare spring passage migrant, occasionally dropping in at reservoirs during April. Sightings are brief as birds continue their northward journey.
Apr
Barn Owl
Tyto albaLC
A rare but cherished resident, hunting over farmland and rough grassland at dusk. Nest box schemes have helped support the small Hertfordshire population.
Sep–Jul
Barn Swallow
Hirundo rusticaLC
A welcome summer visitor arriving from March, nesting in barns and outbuildings across the county. Gathers in large flocks over reservoirs before autumn departure.
Mar–Oct
Barnacle Goose
Branta leucopsisLC
A rare and irregular resident, with sightings likely involving feral birds. Occasionally appears at gravel pits and reservoir margins.
Aug–Apr
Black Tern
Chlidonias nigerLC
A rare spring passage migrant, occasionally seen hawking over reservoirs in May. An exciting find for Hertfordshire birders.
May
Black-crowned Night-heron
Nycticorax nycticoraxLC
A rare passage visitor with occasional July records. Any sighting in Hertfordshire is a notable event, likely involving a wandering continental bird.
Jul
Black-tailed Godwit
Limosa limosaNT
A rare passage migrant pausing at wetlands in July and August. Most records come from the Lea Valley gravel pits and reservoir edges.
Jul–Aug
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Blackbird
Turdus merulaLC
An abundant year-round resident of gardens, hedgerows, and woodland, with numbers boosted by continental birds in winter.
Year-round
Blackcap
Sylvia atricapillaLC
A common warbler found in woods and gardens year-round, boosted in winter by Continental migrants. Males sing richly from dense cover in spring and summer.
Year-round
Blue Tit
Cyanistes caeruleusLC
One of the county's most familiar garden birds, readily using nest boxes. Present year-round in gardens, hedgerows, and woodland.
Year-round
Bohemian Waxwing
Bombycilla garrulusLC
An irruptive winter visitor in some years, descending on berry-laden trees in towns and supermarket car parks.
Dec–Jan
Brambling
Fringilla montifringillaLC
A rare winter visitor from northern Europe, sometimes joining Chaffinch flocks at woodland edges and farmland. Numbers vary greatly between years.
Oct–Apr
Bullfinch
Pyrrhula pyrrhulaLC
A shy resident of hedgerows, orchards and woodland edges. Often heard before seen, with a soft, melancholic call.
Year-round
Buzzard
Buteo buteoLC
Now a common resident after a dramatic recovery, frequently seen soaring over farmland and woodland edges throughout the county.
Year-round
Canada Goose
Branta canadensisLC
Abundant on lakes, rivers and parkland throughout Hertfordshire all year. Large flocks gather on the Lea Valley reservoirs and gravel pits.
Year-round
Carrion Crow
Corvus coroneLC
Abundant year-round across Hertfordshire's farmland, towns, and parks. Often seen in small groups foraging on playing fields and arable land.
Year-round
Cetti's Warbler
Cettia cettiLC
An uncommon but increasing resident of dense waterside scrub, more often heard than seen with its explosive song.
Year-round
Chaffinch
Fringilla coelebsLC
A common and widespread resident of woodland, hedgerows, and gardens. Its cheerful song is one of the first heard in late winter.
Year-round
Chiffchaff
Phylloscopus collybitaLC
Common in woodland, scrub, and parks, with increasing numbers now overwintering. Its repetitive descending song is one of the earliest heard in spring.
Year-round
Coal Tit
Periparus aterLC
An uncommon resident favouring coniferous and mixed woodland. Visits garden feeders in winter but is less widespread than Blue or Great Tit.
Year-round
Common Gull
Larus canusLC
Common across the county, frequenting playing fields, reservoirs and farmland. Numbers peak in winter with an influx of northern birds.
Jul–May
Common Kingfisher
Alcedo atthisLC
An uncommon but year-round resident along the Lea, Colne, and other clean waterways, nesting in riverbanks.
Year-round