Birds in Merseyside
Explore 203 species found in this region.
Merseyside supports a rich diversity of birdlife, with 195 species recorded across the county's varied habitats. From the internationally important estuarine mudflats of the Dee and Mersey, which attract large flocks of Northern Pintail, Pink-footed Geese and Northern Lapwing, to urban parks where Great Tits and Magpies thrive, the region offers excellent birding year-round. Notable species include wintering wildfowl such as Common Shelduck and Common Merganser, as well as passage waders like Common Sandpiper and the elusive Eurasian Woodcock in woodland areas.
Visiting in April? Look out for Arctic Tern and Black Redstart arriving this month, and Common Kingfisher and Common Scoter depart for the season.
Showing 1–23 of 203 species
American Golden-Plover
Pluvialis dominicaLC
A rare transatlantic vagrant, occasionally recorded among golden plover flocks on coastal fields in September.
Sep
Arctic Jaeger
Stercorarius parasiticusLC
A rare passage migrant off the Merseyside coast from July to September, sometimes seen harassing terns at Seaforth or New Brighton.
Jul–Sep
Arctic Loon
Gavia arcticaLC
A rare passage visitor in midwinter, occasionally spotted offshore or in Liverpool Bay during December and January.
Dec–Jan
Arctic Tern
Sterna paradisaeaLC
An uncommon summer visitor breeding at coastal sites, arriving in April and departing by September on its epic southward migration.
Apr–Sep
Avocet
Recurvirostra avosettaLC
An uncommon but increasing visitor to Merseyside's estuarine mudflats, present from February to November. A conservation success story, now regularly seen on the Dee and Mersey.
Feb–Nov
Bar-tailed Godwit
Limosa lapponicaNT
Found year-round on the Merseyside coast, favouring sandy estuarine shores. Numbers peak in winter on the Dee and Mersey estuaries.
Year-round
Barn Owl
Tyto albaLC
A rare but cherished resident, hunting voles over farmland and rough grassland. Nest box schemes have helped sustain the local population.
Sep–Jul
Barn Swallow
Hirundo rusticaLC
A common summer breeder arriving from March, nesting in barns and outbuildings. Gathers in large pre-migration flocks in early autumn.
Mar–Oct
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Barnacle Goose
Branta leucopsisLC
A rare resident, with small numbers on coastal marshes. Origins of birds can be uncertain, mixing feral and genuinely wild individuals.
Sep–Jun
Black Redstart
Phoenicurus ochrurosLC
A rare breeding species favouring industrial and waterfront buildings, with occasional records around Liverpool's docklands.
Apr–Oct
Black Swan
Cygnus atratusLC
A rare introduced breeder, occasionally seen on park lakes and ornamental waters from spring through autumn.
Apr–Oct
Black Tern
Chlidonias nigerLC
A rare breeder, present spring to early autumn at freshwater marshes. Elegant dark plumage makes it unmistakable among terns.
Apr–Sep
Black-necked Grebe
Podiceps nigricollisLC
A rare passage visitor to sheltered pools and reservoirs, most likely seen in late summer and autumn.
Jul–Oct
Black-tailed Godwit
Limosa limosaNT
A common sight on the Mersey and Dee estuaries year-round. Merseyside holds nationally important wintering numbers of this elegant, long-billed wader.
Year-round
Blackbird
Turdus merulaLC
A common and widespread resident found in gardens, parks, and hedgerows, with numbers boosted by Continental birds in winter.
Year-round
Blackcap
Sylvia atricapillaLC
An uncommon year-round resident of woodland and scrub. Winter birds from central Europe supplement the local breeding population.
Year-round
Blue Tit
Cyanistes caeruleusLC
One of the most familiar garden birds, this common resident readily uses nest boxes and feeders across Merseyside year-round.
Year-round
Brambling
Fringilla montifringillaLC
A rare winter visitor from Scandinavia, occasionally found among Chaffinch flocks in beech woodland and farmland edges from October to April.
Oct–Apr
Brent Goose
Branta berniclaLC
A rare non-breeding visitor to the Mersey estuary and Dee shoreline, present mainly from autumn through to spring.
Sep–Apr
Bullfinch
Pyrrhula pyrrhulaLC
A shy resident of hedgerows and woodland edges, rarely seen but sometimes visits garden feeders. Numbers have declined significantly across the region.
Year-round
Buzzard
Buteo buteoLC
Now a common resident across Merseyside, soaring over farmland and woodland edges after a dramatic recovery in recent decades.
Year-round
Cackling Goose
Branta hutchinsiiLC
An exceptionally rare passage visitor recorded in January. Requires careful identification among Canada Goose flocks.
Jan
Canada Goose
Branta canadensisLC
A common resident found on park lakes, reservoirs and grassy areas throughout the year. Flocks can be conspicuous on playing fields.
Year-round