Birds in Somerset
Explore 192 species found in this region.
Somerset is one of the most rewarding counties in England for birdwatching, with 187 recorded species across its diverse landscapes. The Somerset Levels and Moors, a vast area of wetland and grazing marsh, attract spectacular species such as Great White Egret, Cetti's Warbler and Hen Harrier, while the coastline and estuaries host waders and gulls including the scarce Kentish Plover. From the Quantock Hills to Chew Valley Lake, the county offers year-round birding opportunities for beginners and experienced observers alike.
Visiting in April? Look out for Common Redstart and Common Reed-warbler arriving this month, and Black-necked Grebe and Brambling depart for the season.
Showing 1–23 of 192 species
Aquatic Warbler
Acrocephalus paludicolaVU
A globally threatened rarity, occasionally recorded on passage through Somerset's reedbeds and wetlands, most likely around the Levels in June.
Jun
Arctic Tern
Sterna paradisaeaLC
A rare September passage migrant, occasionally seen offshore or at Chew Valley Lake during its long southward migration to Antarctic waters.
Sep
Avocet
Recurvirostra avosettaLC
A rare resident, occasionally breeding on the Levels. More often seen on passage at coastal and wetland sites.
Year-round
Bar-tailed Godwit
Limosa lapponicaNT
A rare wader on the Somerset coast and Levels, mostly seen on passage in spring and autumn with occasional winter records at Bridgwater Bay.
Aug–May
Barn Owl
Tyto albaLC
A scarce year-round resident, hunting over farmland, rough grassland, and the Levels. Often seen at dusk quartering fields for small mammals.
Sep–Jul
Barn Swallow
Hirundo rusticaLC
A common summer visitor breeding in barns and outbuildings across Somerset's farmland from March to October. Numbers have declined in recent years.
Mar–Oct
Bearded Tit
Panurus biarmicusLC
A rare but charismatic resident of extensive reedbeds on the Somerset Levels. Best seen at Ham Wall and Shapwick Heath, especially in autumn.
Year-round
Black Redstart
Phoenicurus ochrurosLC
A rare winter passage bird, occasionally turning up around coastal buildings and quarries in January. Always a notable Somerset record.
Jan
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Black Swan
Cygnus atratusLC
A rare visitor in late summer, likely involving escapees or feral wanderers appearing on lakes and reservoirs.
Aug–Sep
Black Tern
Chlidonias nigerLC
A rare autumn passage migrant in August and September, dipping gracefully over the flooded fields and pools of the Somerset Levels.
Aug–Sep
Black-necked Grebe
Podiceps nigricollisLC
A rare non-breeding visitor found on reservoirs and lakes such as Chew Valley, mainly in winter and early spring.
Sep–Mar
Black-tailed Godwit
Limosa limosaNT
An uncommon year-round resident, with the Somerset Levels being a nationally important site for wintering flocks.
Year-round
Blackbird
Turdus merulaLC
Abundant in gardens, hedgerows, and woodlands throughout Somerset, its melodious song a familiar soundtrack from early spring onwards.
Year-round
Blackcap
Sylvia atricapillaLC
Present all year in Somerset's woodlands, hedgerows and gardens. Winter numbers are boosted by Continental migrants feeding on ivy berries.
Year-round
Blue Tit
Cyanistes caeruleusLC
A familiar year-round garden visitor across Somerset, readily using nest boxes in hedgerows, orchards and woodland edges throughout the county.
Year-round
Brambling
Fringilla montifringillaLC
A rare winter visitor and passage migrant, occasionally joining Chaffinch flocks in beech woodland and farmland from October to March.
Oct–Mar
Brent Goose
Branta berniclaLC
A rare passage visitor, occasionally seen on the Severn Estuary coast or Somerset Levels in autumn and winter months.
Oct–Mar
Bullfinch
Pyrrhula pyrrhulaLC
An uncommon but widespread resident of thick hedgerows and orchards, its soft piping call a feature of Somerset's rural lanes.
Year-round
Buzzard
Buteo buteoLC
Somerset's most commonly seen raptor, soaring over farmland, moorland, and the Levels throughout the year with its broad, rounded wings.
Year-round
Canada Goose
Branta canadensisLC
Common and widespread on lakes, rivers and wetlands throughout the county. Feral flocks graze parkland and farmland year-round.
Year-round
Carrion Crow
Corvus coroneLC
Abundant across all habitats from farmland to urban centres. Seen year-round in noisy, territorial pairs or small groups.
Year-round
Cattle Egret
Bubulcus ibisLC
A recent colonist now resident year-round, thriving on the Somerset Levels. Often seen alongside livestock in wet pastures and flooded fields.
Year-round
Cetti's Warbler
Cettia cettiLC
An uncommon but increasing resident of dense scrub and reedbeds on the Somerset Levels. More often heard than seen, with its explosive song.
Year-round