Common Birds in Bedfordshire
45 species matching this filter.
Bedfordshire is home to 45 commonly spotted bird species, reflecting the county's rich mix of farmland, woodland, wetlands and urban gardens. From the melodious Blackcap and familiar Blackbird to soaring Buzzards over the Chiltern Hills and Barn Swallows swooping across the Ouse Valley, there is plenty to delight birdwatchers year-round. Many of these species are also featured in our guide to 23 Common Garden Birds in the UK (Full Guide with Pictures), making Bedfordshire a wonderful place to start exploring British birdlife.
Showing 24–45 of 45 species
Great Tit
Parus majorLC
A bold and familiar garden visitor year-round, readily using nest boxes in woods, hedgerows and parks across the county.
Year-round
Greenfinch
Chloris chlorisLC
A common resident of gardens, hedgerows and farmland, though numbers have declined due to trichomonosis disease in recent years.
Year-round
Grey Heron
Ardea cinereaLC
A common resident found along rivers, lakes, and gravel pits throughout the year. Heronries are established at several sites across the county.
Year-round
Greylag Goose
Anser anserLC
A common resident found year-round on lakes, gravel pits and farmland. Feral populations are well established across Bedfordshire's wetlands.
Year-round
House Sparrow
Passer domesticusLC
A common year-round resident closely associated with houses and urban areas. Numbers have declined significantly, but it remains widespread across Bedfordshire's towns.
Year-round
Jackdaw
Corvus monedulaLC
A common and sociable resident nesting in church towers, old trees and buildings. Often seen in noisy flocks with rooks.
Year-round
Kestrel
Falco tinnunculusLC
A common resident hovering over roadside verges, farmland, and grassland year-round. One of the county's most familiar raptors.
Year-round
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Larus fuscusLC
Common year-round, frequenting landfill sites, reservoirs, and farmland. Numbers have increased significantly as an inland breeding species.
Year-round
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Long-tailed Tit
Aegithalos caudatusLC
A common and charming resident of hedgerows and woodland edges. Roving family parties are a familiar sight in autumn and winter.
Year-round
Magpie
Pica picaLC
A common and conspicuous resident of gardens, hedgerows and farmland, seen throughout the county all year.
Year-round
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchosLC
A common and familiar resident on virtually every waterbody in the county, from park ponds and rivers to gravel pits and flooded fields.
Year-round
Moorhen
Gallinula chloropusLC
A common resident found on virtually any pond, lake, or waterway. Breeds readily across the county's parks and wetland margins.
Year-round
Mute Swan
Cygnus olorLC
A common and elegant resident gracing rivers, lakes and park ponds year-round. Breeds readily across Bedfordshire, often on the River Great Ouse and its tributaries.
Year-round
Northern Lapwing
Vanellus vanellusNT
A common year-round resident on farmland and wet grassland. Breeding numbers are declining, but winter flocks can be impressive.
Year-round
Red Kite
Milvus milvusLC
Now a common sight soaring over the county's farmland and woodland edges. Part of the successful reintroduction spreading from the Chilterns.
Year-round
Redwing
Turdus iliacusNT
A common winter visitor from Scandinavia, arriving from September and lingering into April. Feeds on berries in hedgerows and often detected by its thin "tseep" flight call.
Sep–Apr
Rook
Corvus frugilegusLC
A common year-round resident, often seen in noisy rookeries in farmland trees across the county's arable landscape.
Year-round
Song Thrush
Turdus philomelosLC
A common resident whose melodious song is a feature of gardens and woodland from late winter onwards. Numbers have declined.
Year-round
Stock Dove
Columba oenasLC
A common resident favouring mature parkland and farmland with old trees, nesting in holes across the county throughout the year.
Year-round
Tufted Duck
Aythya fuligulaLC
A common resident diving duck found year-round on lakes, reservoirs and gravel pits. Numbers swell in winter with an influx of continental birds.
Year-round
Whitethroat
Curruca communisLC
A common summer visitor breeding in hedgerows and scrubby field margins from April to September across the county.
Apr–Sep
Woodpigeon
Columba palumbusLC
An abundant resident found in virtually every habitat from town centres to farmland. Numbers swell in autumn with continental immigrants joining local birds.
Year-round