Birds in Northamptonshire

Explore 181 species found in this region.

Northamptonshire, often known as the county of spires and squires, supports a rich diversity of birdlife with 177 recorded species across its mix of rolling farmland, river valleys, reservoirs, and ancient woodlands. The county's wetland sites attract notable species such as Common Merganser, Northern Pintail, and Pink-footed Goose, while its hedgerows and woodlands are home to familiar residents like Great Tit, Magpie, and Eurasian Woodcock. From the wading Northern Lapwing on open fields to the striking Mandarin Duck along wooded waterways, Northamptonshire offers rewarding birdwatching throughout the year.

Visiting in April? Look out for Arctic Tern and Bar-tailed Godwit arriving this month, and Barnacle Goose and Curlew depart for the season.

Goldcrest
GoldcrestSmallest · 8.5cm
to
Whooper Swan
Whooper SwanLargest · 165cm
Ranges from the Goldcrest (8.5cm) to the Whooper Swan (165cm)48 families represented

Showing 1–23 of 181 species

ResidentLives here year-roundBreedingVisits to breed in warmer monthsNon-breedingVisits outside breeding seasonPassagePasses through during migrationCommonly spottedReported on most outingsUncommonly spottedPresent but not always seenRarely spottedFew sightings each year
Arctic Tern

Arctic Tern

Sterna paradisaeaLC

A rare spring passage migrant in April and May, occasionally dropping in at reservoirs and gravel pits en route north.

PassageRarely spotted

Apr–May

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Avocet

Avocet

Recurvirostra avosettaLC

A rare breeding visitor, occasionally nesting at gravel pits and reservoir scrapes from March to June as the species expands inland.

BreedingRarely spotted

Mar–Jun

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Bar-tailed Godwit

Bar-tailed Godwit

Limosa lapponicaNT

A rare spring passage wader, occasionally stopping at reservoir edges and flooded fields in April and May on northward migration.

PassageRarely spotted

Apr–May

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Barn Owl

Barn Owl

Tyto albaLC

A rare but cherished resident of farmland and field margins, sometimes seen hunting at dusk along quiet country lanes.

ResidentRarely spotted

Sep–Jun

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Barn Swallow

Barn Swallow

Hirundo rusticaLC

A common summer visitor breeding around farms and rural buildings. Arrives from March and gathers in large pre-migration roosts by September.

BreedingCommonly spotted

Mar–Oct

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Barnacle Goose

Barnacle Goose

Branta leucopsisLC

A rare resident, likely of feral origin, occasionally seen on gravel pits and reservoir grasslands from spring through autumn.

ResidentRarely spotted

Mar–Sep

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Bearded Tit

Bearded Tit

Panurus biarmicusLC

A rare passage visitor, occasionally recorded at reedbed sites in February during irruptive dispersal movements.

PassageRarely spotted

Feb

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Black Redstart

Black Redstart

Phoenicurus ochrurosLC

A rare passage visitor, occasionally recorded around industrial buildings and urban sites in late autumn and early winter.

PassageRarely spotted

Dec

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

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Black Tern

Black Tern

Chlidonias nigerLC

A rare passage migrant seen at reservoirs and gravel pits, mainly in May and again in late summer on return migration.

PassageRarely spotted

May–Sep

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Black-necked Grebe

Black-necked Grebe

Podiceps nigricollisLC

A rare passage visitor to reservoirs and gravel pits, most likely seen between July and September during post-breeding dispersal.

PassageRarely spotted

Jul–Sep

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Black-tailed Godwit

Black-tailed Godwit

Limosa limosaNT

A rare but regular visitor to reservoir margins and wet grassland, mainly on spring and autumn passage.

ResidentRarely spotted

Jul–Apr

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Blackbird

Blackbird

Turdus merulaLC

One of the county's most abundant birds, found in gardens, hedgerows and woodland year-round. Rich song is a hallmark of spring evenings.

ResidentCommonly spotted

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Blackcap

Blackcap

Sylvia atricapillaLC

A common resident found in woodland, hedgerows and gardens throughout the year. Winter numbers are boosted by continental migrants visiting bird tables.

ResidentCommonly spotted

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Blue Tit

Blue Tit

Cyanistes caeruleusLC

One of the county's most familiar garden birds, common year-round and a regular visitor to feeders.

ResidentCommonly spotted

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Bohemian Waxwing

Bohemian Waxwing

Bombycilla garrulusLC

A rare winter irruptive visitor, occasionally appearing in January during invasion years. Flocks target berry-laden trees in towns and supermarket car parks.

PassageRarely spotted

Jan

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Brambling

Brambling

Fringilla montifringillaLC

A rare winter visitor, sometimes joining Chaffinch flocks on farmland and beneath beech trees. Numbers vary greatly between years.

Non-breedingRarely spotted

Oct–Apr

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Bullfinch

Bullfinch

Pyrrhula pyrrhulaLC

An uncommon but widespread resident of hedgerows and woodland scrub. Shy and unobtrusive, often betrayed by its soft piping call.

ResidentUncommonly spotted

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Buzzard

Buzzard

Buteo buteoLC

A common year-round raptor, often seen soaring over farmland and woodland edges across the county. Has increased significantly since the 1990s.

ResidentCommonly spotted

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Canada Goose

Canada Goose

Branta canadensisLC

An abundant resident found year-round on lakes, gravel pits and rivers throughout the county, breeding readily at most wetland sites.

ResidentCommonly spotted

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Carrion Crow

Carrion Crow

Corvus coroneLC

A common and adaptable resident seen in virtually every habitat across the county, from town centres to open farmland.

ResidentCommonly spotted

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Cattle Egret

Cattle Egret

Bubulcus ibisLC

A rare but increasingly recorded resident, often seen alongside cattle on wet pastures in the Nene Valley as this species expands its UK range.

ResidentRarely spotted

Aug–Jun

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Cetti's Warbler

Cetti's Warbler

Cettia cettiLC

An uncommon but increasing resident skulking in dense waterside vegetation, more often heard than seen.

ResidentUncommonly spotted

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Chaffinch

Chaffinch

Fringilla coelebsLC

A common year-round resident of woodland, hedgerows and gardens. Its bright song is one of the earliest signs of spring across the county.

ResidentCommonly spotted

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
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