Birds in Warwickshire
Explore 179 species found in this region.
Warwickshire, a landlocked county in the heart of England, supports a rich diversity of birdlife with 177 recorded species across its varied habitats. From the wetlands and reservoirs that attract wildfowl such as Common Merganser, Red-crested Pochard and Mandarin Duck, to the farmlands and woodlands home to familiar species like Great Tit, Magpie and Eurasian Woodcock, the county offers rewarding birdwatching throughout the year. Notable sites along river valleys and gravel pits also draw waders including Northern Lapwing and Common Sandpiper, making Warwickshire a surprisingly productive birding destination.
Visiting in April? Look out for Arctic Tern and Black Tern arriving this month, and Barnacle Goose and Black-necked Grebe depart for the season.
Showing 1–23 of 179 species
Arctic Loon
Gavia arcticaLC
A rare winter visitor to the county's larger reservoirs, most likely in December and January. Easily confused with Great Crested Grebe at distance.
Dec–Jan
Arctic Tern
Sterna paradisaeaLC
A scarce passage migrant in spring and autumn, occasionally dropping in at reservoirs and gravel pits on its epic polar migration.
Apr–Sep
Avocet
Recurvirostra avosettaLC
A rare breeding visitor, occasionally nesting at managed wetland reserves from March to June in small numbers.
Mar–Jun
Barn Owl
Tyto albaLC
A scarce resident of open farmland, hunting voles along field margins and rough grassland. Nest box schemes across Warwickshire have helped support this declining species.
Year-round
Barn Swallow
Hirundo rusticaLC
A common summer visitor breeding in barns and outbuildings across rural Warwickshire. Arrives from March and gathers on wires before autumn departure.
Mar–Oct
Barnacle Goose
Branta leucopsisLC
Rare winter passage visitor, sometimes appearing among flocks of Canada Geese on gravel pits and reservoirs in early months.
Jan–Mar
Black Redstart
Phoenicurus ochrurosLC
A rare passage visitor, occasionally recorded around industrial buildings and urban sites. December sightings suggest late-autumn wanderers passing through the county.
Dec
Black Swan
Cygnus atratusLC
A rare passage visitor, likely an escapee from ornamental collections. Occasionally noted on Warwickshire lakes and reservoirs in summer.
Jun
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Black Tern
Chlidonias nigerLC
A scarce visitor to the county's reservoirs and gravel pits, mainly on spring and autumn passage. Feeds by dipping gracefully over open water.
Apr–Nov
Black-crowned Night-heron
Nycticorax nycticoraxLC
An extremely rare vagrant, with occasional midsummer records. Any sighting in Warwickshire is a major county event.
Jul
Black-necked Grebe
Podiceps nigricollisLC
A rare passage visitor, occasionally seen at reservoirs in late winter or late summer. Often associates with Little Grebe flocks.
Feb–Aug
Black-tailed Godwit
Limosa limosaNT
A rare breeder and passage visitor, seen at wet grassland sites from March to August. A notable county record.
Mar–Aug
Blackbird
Turdus merulaLC
One of Warwickshire's most familiar garden birds, present year-round. Its rich, melodious song is a constant feature of parks, hedgerows and suburban gardens.
Year-round
Blackcap
Sylvia atricapillaLC
A common warbler present year-round, with some overwintering birds supplemented by summer breeders. Favours woodland with dense understorey and mature gardens.
Year-round
Blue Tit
Cyanistes caeruleusLC
A common year-round resident, readily visiting garden feeders across Warwickshire. Often seen in woodlands, hedgerows and parks throughout the county.
Year-round
Bohemian Waxwing
Bombycilla garrulusLC
A rare and irruptive winter visitor, occasionally appearing in Warwickshire towns to feed on berry-laden trees during invasion years from Scandinavia.
Jan
Brambling
Fringilla montifringillaLC
A rare winter visitor, sometimes joining Chaffinch flocks at woodland edges and beneath beech trees from October to early spring.
Oct–Apr
Bullfinch
Pyrrhula pyrrhulaLC
An unobtrusive resident of hedgerows, orchards and woodland edges. Uncommon but present year-round, often betrayed by its soft, piping call.
Year-round
Buzzard
Buteo buteoLC
A common year-round resident, often seen soaring over farmland and woodland edges. Numbers have increased significantly across Warwickshire in recent decades.
Year-round
Canada Goose
Branta canadensisLC
A common resident found year-round on lakes, reservoirs, and park grassland, often in large and noisy flocks.
Year-round
Carrion Crow
Corvus coroneLC
A common and adaptable resident found across all habitats from town centres to remote farmland. Present year-round throughout Warwickshire.
Year-round
Cetti's Warbler
Cettia cettiLC
An uncommon but increasing resident of dense waterside scrub. More often heard than seen, its explosive song rings out from wetland reserves year-round.
Year-round
Chaffinch
Fringilla coelebsLC
A common and widespread resident of woodland, hedgerows and gardens throughout the county. Its cheerful song is one of the earliest signs of spring.
Year-round