Birds in Lancashire
Explore 200 species found in this region.
Lancashire boasts a rich and diverse birdlife, with 195 recorded species found across its varied landscapes of coastal estuaries, moorland uplands, and fertile lowland farmland. The county's extensive coastline along Morecambe Bay and the Ribble Estuary provides vital habitat for wading birds such as Northern Lapwing and Common Sandpiper, while its inland waters attract species including Common Merganser, Northern Pintail, and the striking Mandarin Duck. From the high-altitude Dotterel on the Bowland Fells to the familiar Great Tit and Magpie in gardens and hedgerows, Lancashire offers outstanding birdwatching opportunities throughout the year.
Visiting in April? Look out for Arctic Tern and Barn Swallow arriving this month, and Barnacle Goose and Brambling depart for the season.
Showing 1–23 of 200 species
American Bittern
Botaurus lentiginosusLC
A rare transatlantic vagrant, occasionally recorded on passage in Lancashire's wetlands during February. A prized find for county birders.
Feb
Arctic Jaeger
Stercorarius parasiticusLC
A rare autumn passage migrant in August and September, best seen during seawatches from coastal headlands, harrying terns for food.
Aug–Sep
Arctic Tern
Sterna paradisaeaLC
A rare breeding visitor from April to August, nesting at a few coastal sites. Best looked for along the Ribble Estuary.
Apr–Aug
Avocet
Recurvirostra avosettaLC
An uncommon breeder at coastal wetlands, with the Ribble Estuary marshes a key site. Present from February to October.
Feb–Oct
Bar-tailed Godwit
Limosa lapponicaNT
A rare but year-round presence on the Ribble Estuary and Morecambe Bay mudflats. Numbers peak during autumn passage and winter.
Year-round
Barn Owl
Tyto albaLC
A rare year-round resident, hunting over farmland and rough grassland. Often spotted at dusk along quiet Lancashire lanes.
Year-round
Barn Swallow
Hirundo rusticaLC
A common summer breeder arriving in April, nesting in barns and outbuildings across Lancashire's farmland. Departs by October for African wintering grounds.
Apr–Oct
Barnacle Goose
Branta leucopsisLC
A rare resident, with feral birds present year-round. Small numbers frequent the Ribble Estuary and surrounding coastal grasslands.
May–Mar
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Bearded Tit
Panurus biarmicusLC
A rare resident of Lancashire's reedbeds, with Leighton Moss RSPB reserve being the key stronghold. Listen for distinctive pinging calls in the reeds.
Year-round
Black Redstart
Phoenicurus ochrurosLC
A rare passage visitor in midwinter, occasionally seen around industrial sites and coastal buildings. A scarce but regular Lancashire record.
Jan–Feb
Black Tern
Chlidonias nigerLC
A rare passage migrant, occasionally spotted over reservoirs and wetlands in May and September during migration.
May–Sep
Black-necked Grebe
Podiceps nigricollisLC
A rare passage visitor in July and August, occasionally turning up on reservoirs and sheltered pools during post-breeding dispersal.
Jul–Aug
Black-tailed Godwit
Limosa limosaNT
Uncommon but present year-round, favouring wet grasslands and estuarine pools at sites like Martin Mere and the Ribble.
Year-round
Blackbird
Turdus merulaLC
A common and abundant resident found in virtually every Lancashire habitat from town gardens to woodland. Continental migrants boost numbers in autumn.
Year-round
Blackcap
Sylvia atricapillaLC
An uncommon year-round resident of woodland and mature gardens. Some overwinter, supplemented by continental birds visiting berry-laden hedgerows.
Year-round
Blue Tit
Cyanistes caeruleusLC
A common garden and woodland resident throughout the year. A familiar visitor to Lancashire bird feeders, especially in winter.
Year-round
Brambling
Fringilla montifringillaLC
A rare winter visitor from Scandinavia, occasionally joining Chaffinch flocks in beech woodland and at garden feeders from October to March.
Oct–Mar
Brent Goose
Branta berniclaLC
A rare winter visitor to Lancashire's estuaries, occasionally seen on the Ribble or Morecambe Bay mudflats between December and February.
Dec–Feb
Bullfinch
Pyrrhula pyrrhulaLC
An uncommon year-round resident, often found in hedgerows and woodland edges. Shy and easily overlooked despite the male's striking pink breast.
Year-round
Buzzard
Buteo buteoLC
A common resident across farmland, moorland edges, and woodland. Frequently seen soaring over the Bowland hills and rural lanes.
Year-round
Canada Goose
Branta canadensisLC
A common resident found year-round on Lancashire's lakes, reservoirs, parks and river margins. Breeds readily across the county.
Year-round
Carrion Crow
Corvus coroneLC
A common and widespread resident seen across farmland, towns and moorland edges. One of Lancashire's most adaptable and conspicuous birds.
Year-round
Cattle Egret
Bubulcus ibisLC
A rare but increasingly recorded resident, reflecting a northward range expansion. Typically associates with grazing livestock on lowland pastures.
Year-round