Birds in Leicestershire
Explore 164 species found in this region.
Leicestershire is home to a rich diversity of birdlife, with 162 species recorded across the county's varied habitats, from the reservoirs and wetlands of Rutland Water's fringes to rolling farmland and ancient woodlands. The region supports notable species such as Northern Lapwing and Eurasian Woodcock in its countryside, while waterways attract visitors including Common Merganser, Mandarin Duck and Pink-footed Goose. Whether you're exploring urban parks where Great Tits and Magpies thrive or venturing to gravel pits and meadows, Leicestershire offers rewarding birding throughout the year.
Visiting in April? Look out for Arctic Tern and Black-crowned Night-heron arriving this month, and Greater Scaup and Northern Pintail depart for the season.
Showing 1–23 of 164 species
American Golden-Plover
Pluvialis dominicaLC
A very rare Nearctic vagrant, occasionally recorded in October among Golden Plover flocks on farmland. A prized find for county birders.
Oct
Arctic Tern
Sterna paradisaeaLC
A rare spring passage migrant, occasionally dropping in at reservoirs and gravel pits during April and May en route to Arctic breeding grounds.
Apr–May
Barn Owl
Tyto albaLC
A rare but year-round resident, hunting over farmland and rough grassland. Most active at dusk, favouring areas with old barns and hedgerow trees.
Nov–Sep
Barn Swallow
Hirundo rusticaLC
A common summer visitor from March to October, nesting in farm buildings and barns across the county's rural landscape.
Mar–Oct
Barnacle Goose
Branta leucopsisLC
A rare breeder, likely from feral stock, present at scattered wetland sites from May through September.
May–Sep
Black Tern
Chlidonias nigerLC
A rare late-summer passage migrant, dipping gracefully over reservoir surfaces in August and September. Most records come from larger water bodies.
Aug–Sep
Black-crowned Night-heron
Nycticorax nycticoraxLC
A rare spring passage visitor, with occasional April records. This secretive heron is a major county rarity, usually found near wooded waterways.
Apr
Black-necked Grebe
Podiceps nigricollisLC
A rare passage visitor, occasionally turning up at larger reservoirs such as Rutland Water's fringes during August.
Aug
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Black-tailed Godwit
Limosa limosaNT
A rare passage migrant through the county in late summer, pausing at reservoir edges and wet grassland between July and September.
Jul–Sep
Blackbird
Turdus merulaLC
One of the county's most familiar garden birds, common year-round. Feeds on lawns and in hedgerows, with a rich, fluting song heard from early spring.
Year-round
Blackcap
Sylvia atricapillaLC
A common resident present all year, breeding in woodland and hedgerows. Winter numbers are boosted by continental birds visiting garden feeders.
Year-round
Blue Tit
Cyanistes caeruleusLC
A common and familiar garden resident year-round. One of the most frequent visitors to bird feeders across the county's towns and villages.
Year-round
Bohemian Waxwing
Bombycilla garrulusLC
A rare winter visitor from Scandinavia, appearing in irruption years. Flocks descend on berry-laden trees in towns and supermarket car parks.
Dec–Feb
Brambling
Fringilla montifringillaLC
A rare winter visitor from Scandinavia, sometimes joining Chaffinch flocks in farmland and beech woodland from October to April.
Oct–Apr
Bullfinch
Pyrrhula pyrrhulaLC
An uncommon but widespread resident of hedgerows, woodland edges and mature gardens. Its soft, piping call often betrays its presence.
Year-round
Buzzard
Buteo buteoLC
A common resident, now one of the county's most visible raptors following a dramatic recovery. Soars over farmland and woodland edges year-round.
Year-round
Canada Goose
Branta canadensisLC
A common and conspicuous resident on lakes, reservoirs, rivers, and park ponds throughout the county. Breeds readily and gathers in large flocks.
Year-round
Carrion Crow
Corvus coroneLC
A common and adaptable resident found across all habitats from city centres to open countryside. Often seen in noisy family groups during summer.
Year-round
Cattle Egret
Bubulcus ibisLC
A rare passage visitor in summer and early autumn, part of a recent range expansion into England. Occasionally seen near livestock at wetland sites.
Jun–Sep
Cetti's Warbler
Cettia cettiLC
An uncommon but increasing resident, favouring dense reedbed and waterside scrub at sites like Rutland Water's fringes. More often heard than seen.
Year-round
Chaffinch
Fringilla coelebsLC
An abundant resident of woodlands, hedgerows and gardens throughout the county, with winter numbers boosted by continental arrivals.
Year-round
Chiffchaff
Phylloscopus collybitaLC
A common resident found year-round in woodland, parks and gardens. Its distinctive two-note song is one of the earliest signs of spring.
Year-round
Coal Tit
Periparus aterLC
A common resident of woodlands, parks and mature gardens. Readily visits feeders and often caches seeds and nuts for later retrieval.
Year-round