Birds in Staffordshire
Explore 197 species found in this region.
Staffordshire supports a rich and varied birdlife, with 193 species recorded across the county's diverse habitats, from the moorland edges of the Peak District in the north to the lowland wetlands and river valleys further south. Notable species include the elegant Northern Lapwing on farmland, the striking Mandarin Duck along wooded waterways, and scarce winter visitors such as the Great Grey Shrike. With reservoirs like Blithfield and Chasewater providing important refuges for wildfowl and waders, the county offers rewarding birdwatching opportunities throughout the year.
Visiting in April? Look out for Arctic Tern and Bar-tailed Godwit arriving this month, and Black Grouse and Black Swan depart for the season.
Showing 1–23 of 197 species
Arctic Tern
Sterna paradisaeaLC
A rare passage migrant glimpsed briefly in April and September, usually at larger reservoirs. Far less frequent inland than Common Tern.
Apr–Sep
Avocet
Recurvirostra avosettaLC
An uncommon breeding visitor from March to July, nesting at select wetland sites. A relatively recent colonist to inland Staffordshire.
Mar–Jul
Bar-headed Goose
Anser indicusLC
A rare passage visitor in August, likely an escapee from captive collections rather than a genuine wild vagrant from its Central Asian range.
Aug
Bar-tailed Godwit
Limosa lapponicaNT
A rare spring passage visitor, occasionally stopping at reservoir margins in April on its northward migration to Arctic breeding grounds.
Apr
Barn Owl
Tyto albaLC
A rare and elusive resident of farmland and rough grassland. Best spotted at dusk hunting along field margins and hedgerows year-round.
Year-round
Barn Swallow
Hirundo rusticaLC
A common summer visitor from March to October, nesting in barns and outbuildings across Staffordshire's farmland and rural villages.
Mar–Oct
Barnacle Goose
Branta leucopsisLC
A rare resident with scattered sightings, most likely involving feral birds. Recorded at reservoirs and lakes in spring, late summer, and winter.
Apr–Dec
Black Grouse
Lyrurus tetrixLC
A rare passage record, historically bred on Staffordshire moorlands. Now effectively lost as a county bird, with only occasional sightings.
Mar
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Black Redstart
Phoenicurus ochrurosLC
A rare passage visitor, occasionally recorded around industrial sites and urban buildings. July records may involve post-breeding dispersal.
Jul
Black Swan
Cygnus atratusLC
A rare resident of ornamental origin, occasionally seen on park lakes and larger water bodies across the county.
May–Mar
Black Tern
Chlidonias nigerLC
A rare passage visitor, most likely at larger reservoirs in May or during autumn return in August–September. Feeds by dipping gracefully over open water.
May–Sep
Black-necked Grebe
Podiceps nigricollisLC
A rare resident recorded mainly from April to October at select pools and reservoirs. Breeds at very few Staffordshire sites.
Apr–Oct
Black-tailed Godwit
Limosa limosaNT
A rare breeder at select wetland sites, present from March to September with some November records. A nationally important species to find here.
Mar–Nov
Blackbird
Turdus merulaLC
An abundant resident found in virtually every habitat from gardens to woodland. Numbers are boosted by continental migrants in autumn.
Year-round
Blackcap
Sylvia atricapillaLC
A common resident found year-round in woodlands, hedgerows and gardens. Winter numbers are boosted by continental birds visiting berry-laden shrubs.
Dec–Oct
Blue Tit
Cyanistes caeruleusLC
One of Staffordshire's most familiar garden birds, present year-round and a regular visitor to feeders in both urban and rural settings.
Year-round
Bohemian Waxwing
Bombycilla garrulusLC
A rare and irruptive winter visitor, occasionally appearing in towns to feed on rowan and cotoneaster berries during invasion years.
Dec–Jan
Brambling
Fringilla montifringillaLC
A rare winter visitor from October to April, sometimes joining Chaffinch flocks at woodland edges and beneath beech trees.
Oct–Apr
Bullfinch
Pyrrhula pyrrhulaLC
A common year-round resident, often seen in hedgerows, orchards and mature gardens across Staffordshire. The male's rosy-pink breast is unmistakable.
Year-round
Buzzard
Buteo buteoLC
A common resident soaring over farmland, woodland edges, and moorland fringes throughout the year. Numbers have recovered strongly since the 1990s.
Year-round
Canada Goose
Branta canadensisLC
An abundant resident breeding on lakes, reservoirs, and park ponds throughout the county. Large moulting flocks gather in late summer.
Year-round
Carrion Crow
Corvus coroneLC
A common and adaptable resident found in virtually every habitat from town centres to remote moorland throughout the year.
Year-round
Cattle Egret
Bubulcus ibisLC
A rare passage visitor in spring and autumn, reflecting this species' recent expansion into Britain. Check cattle fields near wetlands.
Sep–Apr