Birds in Norfolk
Explore 235 species found in this region.
Norfolk is one of the premier birdwatching destinations in the United Kingdom, with 229 recorded species thriving across its diverse mosaic of coastal marshes, reed beds, estuaries, and arable farmland. The county's extensive coastline and renowned reserves such as Cley Marshes, Titchwell, and the North Norfolk coast attract vast numbers of wildfowl and waders, including Eurasian Wigeon, Common Shelduck, and Garganey. Norfolk is also a vital stronghold for increasingly rare species such as the European Turtle-dove and supports impressive winter gatherings of Barnacle Geese and Goldeneye.
Visiting in April? Look out for Arctic Tern and Common Redstart arriving this month, and Common Merganser and Dartford Warbler depart for the season.
Showing 1–23 of 235 species
American Golden-Plover
Pluvialis dominicaLC
A rare transatlantic vagrant, very occasionally recorded on Norfolk's coastal fields in late autumn.
Nov
Aquatic Warbler
Acrocephalus paludicolaVU
A globally threatened rarity, occasionally recorded on passage in coastal reedbeds and marshes during June.
Jun
Arctic Jaeger
Stercorarius parasiticusLC
An uncommon seabird seen offshore from Norfolk's coast during autumn passage, harrying terns and gulls for their catches.
Jul–Nov
Arctic Loon
Gavia arcticaLC
A rare non-breeding visitor to Norfolk's coastal waters, occasionally seen offshore from October through winter.
Oct–Jan
Arctic Tern
Sterna paradisaeaLC
A rare breeder at a few coastal colonies, arriving in spring and departing by October. Blakeney Point hosts notable numbers.
Apr–Oct
Avocet
Recurvirostra avosettaLC
A common year-round resident, iconic at reserves like Titchwell and Cley, sweeping its upturned bill through shallow brackish lagoons.
Year-round
Bar-tailed Godwit
Limosa lapponicaNT
Present year-round along Norfolk's sandy shores and tidal flats, with numbers peaking in winter at sites like Titchwell and Snettisham.
Year-round
Barn Owl
Tyto albaLC
An uncommon but iconic Norfolk resident, hunting over farmland, marshes, and field margins at dusk. The county supports a healthy breeding population.
Year-round
Spotted something?
Upload a photo to identify it
Identify
Barn Swallow
Hirundo rusticaLC
A common summer breeder nesting in farm buildings across the county, arriving in March and lingering into November.
Mar–Nov
Barnacle Goose
Branta leucopsisLC
A rare resident of uncertain provenance — some are feral birds, while genuine wild Arctic migrants may appear in winter.
Year-round
Bearded Tit
Panurus biarmicusLC
An iconic resident of Norfolk's extensive reedbeds, particularly at sites like Titchwell, Cley, and the Broads. Listen for its distinctive pinging call.
Year-round
Black Redstart
Phoenicurus ochrurosLC
A rare non-breeding visitor, occasionally seen around coastal buildings and industrial sites from autumn through early spring.
Oct–Apr
Black Tern
Chlidonias nigerLC
A rare passage migrant seen over coastal marshes and broads in spring and autumn, dipping gracefully to pick insects from the water's surface.
May–Sep
Black-necked Grebe
Podiceps nigricollisLC
A rare passage grebe, occasionally noted on coastal pools and reservoirs, most likely in late winter.
Feb
Black-tailed Godwit
Limosa limosaNT
Found year-round on coastal marshes and wet grasslands, with large flocks at sites like the Ouse Washes and Cley.
Year-round
Blackbird
Turdus merulaLC
A common and abundant resident of gardens, hedgerows and woodland, with numbers swelled by continental migrants in autumn.
Year-round
Blackcap
Sylvia atricapillaLC
An uncommon year-round resident; breeding birds are joined by continental wintering birds visiting gardens for berries.
Year-round
Blue Tit
Cyanistes caeruleusLC
A common and familiar garden resident throughout the county, readily using nest boxes and bird feeders year-round.
Year-round
Bohemian Waxwing
Bombycilla garrulusLC
A rare and irruptive winter visitor from Scandinavia, appearing in some years in berry-laden trees in Norfolk's towns. Most likely in November to January.
Nov–Jan
Brambling
Fringilla montifringillaLC
An uncommon winter visitor often mixing with chaffinch flocks in beech woodland and farmland, numbers varying greatly between years.
Sep–Apr
Brent Goose
Branta berniclaLC
Winters in large flocks on the north Norfolk coast, grazing on saltmarshes and eelgrass beds. Most numerous from October to March.
Aug–Jun
Bullfinch
Pyrrhula pyrrhulaLC
An uncommon but year-round resident of hedgerows, scrubby woodland edges and mature gardens across Norfolk.
Year-round
Buzzard
Buteo buteoLC
A common resident frequently seen perched on roadside posts or soaring over Norfolk's farmland and woodland throughout the year.
Year-round