What birds can I see in Shropshire?

Shropshire is home to 163 recorded bird species, ranging from common garden birds like the Great Tit and Magpie to more specialist species such as the Eurasian Woodcock and Common Merganser. The county's wetlands and meres also attract a variety of wildfowl, including Common Shelduck, Mandarin Duck, and Northern Pintail.

Where are the best birdwatching spots in Shropshire?

The meres and mosses of north Shropshire, including Ellesmere and Whixall Moss, are excellent for wintering wildfowl and wading birds. The Shropshire Hills offer upland species, while Venus Pool nature reserve near Shrewsbury is one of the county's premier birding sites for passage waders like the Common Sandpiper.

What winter birds visit Shropshire?

Winter brings an influx of wildfowl to Shropshire's lakes and wetlands, including Pink-footed Goose, Northern Pintail, and Common Merganser. The Northern Lapwing can also be seen in large flocks on farmland during the colder months.

Are there any unusual or rare birds in Shropshire?

The Mandarin Duck, originally native to East Asia, has established a feral breeding population in Shropshire and can be spotted along wooded rivers and pools. Passage migrants and occasional rarities also turn up at key wetland sites, making regular visits worthwhile throughout the year.

Birds in Shropshire

Explore 163 species found in this region.

Shropshire's diverse landscape of rolling hills, river valleys, meres, and mosses supports a rich variety of birdlife, with 163 species recorded across the county. From the upland habitats of the Shropshire Hills AONB, home to species such as the Eurasian Woodcock and Northern Lapwing, to the lowland lakes and wetlands that attract wintering wildfowl like Pink-footed Goose and Northern Pintail, the county offers rewarding birding throughout the year. Notable species include the striking Mandarin Duck, the elegant Common Merganser along the River Severn, and familiar garden visitors such as the Great Tit and Magpie.

Visiting in April? Look out for Common Redstart and Common Reed-warbler arriving this month, and Eurasian Woodcock and Great Black-backed Gull depart for the season.

GoldcrestSmallest · 8.5cm

Whooper SwanLargest · 165cm

Ranges from the Goldcrest (8.5cm) to the Whooper Swan (165cm)46 families represented

Showing 1–23 of 163 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

Aquatic Warbler

Acrocephalus paludicolaVU

An exceptionally rare passage vagrant, with June records representing remarkable occurrences. One of Europe's most threatened warblers, globally near-threatened.

PassageRarely spotted

Jun

Barn Owl

Tyto albaLC

A rare but year-round resident, hunting voles over rough grassland and farmland at dusk. Nest box schemes across the county support this declining species.

ResidentRarely spotted

Year-round

Barn Swallow

Hirundo rusticaLC

A common summer visitor breeding in barns and outbuildings across Shropshire's farmland, arriving in March and lingering into October.

BreedingCommonly spotted

Mar–Oct

Barnacle Goose

Branta leucopsisLC

A rare passage visitor, occasionally turning up on meres and floodplains in autumn and winter, often among other goose flocks.

PassageRarely spotted

Oct–Feb

Black Swan

Cygnus atratusLC

A rare vagrant of captive origin, occasionally recorded on Shropshire's meres and pools. Not an established breeding species.

PassageRarely spotted

Jun

Black-tailed Godwit

Limosa limosaNT

A rare passage wader seen at meres and flooded fields, mainly in late spring and midsummer as birds move between breeding and wintering sites.

PassageRarely spotted

May–Aug

Blackbird

Turdus merulaLC

One of Shropshire's most familiar garden birds, present year-round and often heard singing from hedgerows and woodland edges at dusk.

ResidentCommonly spotted

Year-round

Blackcap

Sylvia atricapillaLC

A common resident found in woodland and gardens year-round; winter numbers are boosted by Continental migrants.

ResidentCommonly spotted

Year-round

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Blue Tit

Cyanistes caeruleusLC

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

ResidentCommonly spotted

Year-round

Brambling

Fringilla montifringillaLC

An uncommon winter visitor from Scandinavia, joining Chaffinch flocks at beech mast sites and farmland stubble from October to April.

Non-breedingUncommonly spotted

Oct–Apr

Bullfinch

Pyrrhula pyrrhulaLC

An uncommon but year-round resident of thick hedgerows and scrubby woodland. Shy and easily overlooked, often betrayed by its soft, piping call.

ResidentUncommonly spotted

Year-round

Buzzard

Buteo buteoLC

An abundant resident, commonly seen soaring over farmland, hillsides, and woodland edges throughout the county.

ResidentCommonly spotted

Year-round

Canada Goose

Branta canadensisLC

A common year-round resident, abundant on meres, rivers and farmland. Large moulting flocks gather on bigger waters in summer.

ResidentCommonly spotted

Year-round

Carrion Crow

Corvus coroneLC

A common and adaptable resident seen throughout the year in virtually every habitat. One of Shropshire's most familiar birds, from town centres to hilltops.

ResidentCommonly spotted

Year-round

Cattle Egret

Bubulcus ibisLC

A rare passage visitor, occasionally recorded in October around livestock fields. A recent colonist of southern England, still scarce this far inland.

PassageRarely spotted

Oct

Cetti's Warbler

Cettia cettiLC

An uncommon but increasing resident, skulking in dense waterside vegetation year-round. Its explosive song bursts from reedbeds and scrubby wetland margins.

ResidentUncommonly spotted

Year-round