Birds to See in Bedfordshire in December
102 species matching this filter.
Bedfordshire may be one of England's smaller counties, but its diverse mix of farmland, woodland, wetlands and chalk downlands supports a rich variety of birdlife throughout the winter months. With 102 species recorded in December, highlights include wintering thrushes such as Fieldfare, elusive visitors like the Great Grey Shrike, and resident favourites including Barn Owl, Buzzard and European Green Woodpecker. The county's reservoirs and gravel pits also attract wildfowl such as Common Merganser, making December an excellent time for birdwatching.
Resident
(83)
Barn Owl
Tyto albaLC
A rare resident of farmland and field margins, hunting voles at dusk. Nest box schemes have aided local recovery.
May–Jan
Barnacle Goose
Branta leucopsisLC
A rare resident, present most months but scarce. Most records likely involve feral birds associating with Canada Goose flocks on lakes and gravel pits.
Jun–Apr
Blackbird
Turdus merulaLC
One of the county's most abundant residents, thriving in gardens, parks and hedgerows throughout the year.
Year-round
Blackcap
Sylvia atricapillaLC
A common resident found in woodland and gardens year-round; winter numbers are boosted by Continental migrants.
Year-round
Blue Tit
Cyanistes caeruleusLC
A common and familiar garden resident year-round, readily using nest boxes. One of the most frequently seen birds in the county.
Year-round
Bullfinch
Pyrrhula pyrrhulaLC
A rare but year-round resident of hedgerows, orchards and woodland scrub. Its soft piping call often betrays its presence before it is seen.
Year-round
Buzzard
Buteo buteoLC
A common resident often seen circling over farmland and woodland. Has increased markedly across Bedfordshire in recent decades.
Year-round
Canada Goose
Branta canadensisLC
A common and conspicuous resident breeding on lakes, rivers and gravel pits throughout the county. Large moulting flocks gather in late summer.
Year-round
Carrion Crow
Corvus coroneLC
A common and adaptable resident found across farmland, parks and urban areas throughout the county year-round.
Year-round
Cetti's Warbler
Cettia cettiLC
An uncommon but increasing resident of dense waterside vegetation, more often heard than seen at sites like Priory Country Park.
Year-round
Chaffinch
Fringilla coelebsLC
An abundant resident found year-round in woodlands, hedgerows and gardens across Bedfordshire. Males sing prominently from treetops in spring.
Year-round
Chiffchaff
Phylloscopus collybitaLC
A common resident heard singing its distinctive two-note call in woodlands and scrub. Some overwinter, boosted by continental arrivals.
Year-round
Coal Tit
Periparus aterLC
An uncommon resident favouring coniferous and mixed woodland. Less widespread here than in more heavily wooded counties.
Year-round
Common Gull
Larus canusLC
An uncommon but widespread visitor to playing fields, reservoirs and farmland, present most months but scarcer in summer.
Jul–May
Common Kingfisher
Alcedo atthisLC
A scarce but year-round resident along rivers and at gravel pits, offering a flash of electric blue along waterways.
Year-round
Common Pheasant
Phasianus colchicusLC
A common resident of farmland, woodland edges and hedgerows throughout the county, bolstered by regular releases for shooting.
Year-round
Common Raven
Corvus coraxLC
An uncommon but increasing resident, recolonising Bedfordshire after a long absence. Look for tumbling display flights over open country.
Year-round
Common Redpoll
Acanthis flammeaLC
An uncommon resident favouring birch and alder woodland. Most conspicuous from autumn to spring when flocks visit seed-bearing trees across the county.
Oct–May
Common Starling
Sturnus vulgarisLC
A common resident found in gardens, farmland and towns throughout the year. Winter roosts can attract large, swirling flocks at dusk, though numbers are declining.
Year-round
Coot
Fulica atraLC
A common resident of lakes, gravel pits and reservoirs, often gathering in large flocks at sites like Priory Country Park.
Year-round
Corn Bunting
Emberiza calandraLC
A rare and declining resident of open arable farmland. One of Bedfordshire's most threatened breeding birds, singing its jangling song from fence posts in summer.
Oct–Jul
Dunnock
Prunella modularisLC
A common and unobtrusive resident of hedgerows and garden shrubberies, often shuffling quietly along the ground.
Year-round
Egyptian Goose
Alopochen aegyptiacaLC
An uncommon but increasing resident, breeding around lakes and gravel pits. This established non-native species is spreading steadily across the county.
Year-round
Eurasian Collared Dove
Streptopelia decaoctoLC
A common resident of gardens, farms and suburban areas, its monotonous cooing heard year-round across the county.
Year-round
Eurasian Jay
Garrulus glandariusLC
An uncommon but year-round resident of broadleaved woodland, often betrayed by its harsh screeching alarm call.
Year-round
Eurasian Nuthatch
Sitta europaeaLC
An uncommon resident of mature deciduous woodland, often heard giving its loud call in parks and established gardens.
Year-round
Eurasian Siskin
Spinus spinusLC
An uncommon resident most often seen in winter and early spring, visiting alder trees along rivers and garden nyjer feeders.
Jul–Apr
Eurasian Skylark
Alauda arvensisLC
A common resident of open arable fields and grasslands, singing high in flight. Numbers have declined with agricultural intensification.
Year-round
Eurasian Wigeon
Mareca penelopeLC
An uncommon visitor mainly outside summer, favouring flooded meadows and reservoir margins. Numbers peak in winter when birds arrive from breeding grounds further north.
Aug–May
Eurasian Wren
Troglodytes troglodytesLC
A common and widespread resident, delivering its powerful song from hedgerows, gardens and woodland undergrowth year-round.
Year-round
European Goldfinch
Carduelis carduelisLC
A common and colourful resident, readily visiting garden feeders. Flocks gather on teasel and thistle heads in autumn.
Year-round
European Green Woodpecker
Picus viridisLC
A common resident of parkland, orchards and woodland edges, often heard giving its loud laughing call in flight.
Year-round
European Herring Gull
Larus argentatusLC
An uncommon year-round resident, frequenting landfill sites, reservoirs and urban areas, though less numerous than inland farther west.
Year-round
European Robin
Erithacus rubeculaLC
A common and familiar resident of gardens, hedgerows and woodland throughout the county. Sings year-round and is one of Bedfordshire's most recognisable birds.
Year-round
Gadwall
Mareca streperaLC
An uncommon year-round resident on lakes and gravel pits. Has increased as a breeding bird in Bedfordshire, favouring well-vegetated shallow waters.
Year-round
Goldcrest
Regulus regulusLC
An uncommon resident of coniferous and mixed woodland; Britain's smallest bird, easily overlooked despite its high-pitched call.
Year-round
Great Black-backed Gull
Larus marinusLC
A rare visitor to Bedfordshire's reservoirs and gravel pits, most often seen in winter months. Absent in June, this bulky gull is scarce inland.
Jul–May
Great Cormorant
Phalacrocorax carboLC
Common year-round at gravel pits, reservoirs and rivers. Numbers increase in winter at roost sites across the county.
Year-round
Great Crested Grebe
Podiceps cristatusLC
A common resident breeding on larger lakes and gravel pits, with elegant courtship displays visible from early spring.
Year-round
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Dendrocopos majorLC
A common resident of woodland, parks and mature gardens, with loud drumming heard from late winter onwards.
Year-round
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
Great White Egret
Ardea albaLC
An increasingly regular but still rare visitor to wetlands and gravel pits, seen in most months of the year.
Jul–May
Green Sandpiper
Tringa ochropusLC
An uncommon but near year-round presence at watercress beds, streams and gravel pit margins across the county.
Jun–Apr
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
Grey Partridge
Perdix perdixLC
A declining resident of arable farmland, now rare across Bedfordshire despite year-round presence on remaining suitable fields.
Year-round
Grey Wagtail
Motacilla cinereaLC
An uncommon resident found along streams, rivers and waterways throughout the year. Its bright yellow underparts and bobbing tail are distinctive at the waterside.
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
Lady Amherst's Pheasant
Chrysolophus amherstiaeLC
Once established in woods near Whipsnade, this introduced species has declined drastically and is now rarely encountered.
Dec–May
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
Linnet
Linaria cannabinaLC
An uncommon resident favouring open farmland, heathland edges and weedy fields. Winter flocks gather on stubble and set-aside.
Year-round
Little Egret
Egretta garzettaLC
An uncommon but increasing resident, now seen year-round along rivers, gravel pits and wetlands. A relatively recent colonist reflecting its national spread.
Year-round
Little Grebe
Tachybaptus ruficollisLC
An uncommon but year-round resident on ponds, lakes, and slow-moving rivers. Often heard before seen, with its distinctive trilling call.
Year-round
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
Mandarin Duck
Aix galericulataLC
A rare but established resident, favouring wooded lakes and rivers. This striking East Asian species nests in tree holes near quiet waterbodies.
Oct–Jul
Meadow Pipit
Anthus pratensisLC
An uncommon resident of rough grassland and farmland, with numbers supplemented by passage birds in autumn and winter.
Year-round
Mistle Thrush
Turdus viscivorusLC
An uncommon resident often heard singing boldly from tall trees in late winter. Favours parkland, orchards and woodland edges across Bedfordshire.
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
Northern Shoveler
Spatula clypeataLC
An uncommon resident found year-round on shallow lakes and gravel pits. Numbers increase in winter when continental birds supplement the small local population.
Year-round
Peregrine Falcon
Falco peregrinusLC
A rare but increasingly seen resident, favouring tall structures for nesting. Recorded in most months, with a gap in midsummer.
Aug–Jun
Pochard
Aythya ferinaVU
An uncommon year-round resident, though nationally declining. Favours deeper lakes and gravel pits, with numbers boosted by wintering continental birds.
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
Red-legged Partridge
Alectoris rufaNT
An uncommon but year-round resident of arable fields and chalky downland, often seen in small coveys along field margins.
Year-round
Redshank
Tringa totanusLC
A rare resident found at wet grassland and gravel pit edges, with numbers bolstered slightly during passage periods.
Dec–Aug
Reed Bunting
Emberiza schoeniclusLC
An uncommon resident of reedbeds, wetland margins and damp farmland. Males are recognisable by their black head and white collar in breeding plumage.
Year-round
Rock Dove
Columba liviaLC
Feral populations inhabit towns such as Bedford and Luton year-round, frequenting buildings and urban squares.
Year-round
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
Sparrowhawk
Accipiter nisusLC
An uncommon but widespread resident, hunting songbirds in gardens, woodland edges and hedgerows throughout the year.
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
Treecreeper
Certhia familiarisLC
An uncommon resident of mature woodland, spiralling up tree trunks in search of insects. Present year-round in parks and wooded areas across the county.
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
Western Marsh-harrier
Circus aeruginosusLC
A rare but increasingly regular resident, quartering reedbeds and wetlands. Part of a national range expansion.
Sep–Jul
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
Yellow-legged Gull
Larus michahellisLC
A rare gull found mainly in late summer and autumn at reservoirs and tips, with peak numbers in August.
Jun–Jan
Yellowhammer
Emberiza citrinellaLC
An uncommon but year-round resident of arable farmland and hedgerows, declining across the county like much of lowland England.
Year-round
Non-breeding
(14)
Brambling
Fringilla montifringillaLC
A rare winter visitor from Scandinavia, sometimes joining Chaffinch flocks at woodland edges and farmland. Numbers vary greatly between years.
Oct–Apr
Common Merganser
Mergus merganserLC
A rare winter visitor to Bedfordshire's gravel pits and reservoirs, occasionally seen diving for fish between November and February.
Nov–Feb
Common Snipe
Gallinago gallinagoLC
An uncommon non-breeding visitor to wet meadows and marshes, present from autumn through to spring at suitable wetland sites.
Aug–Apr
Eurasian Woodcock
Scolopax rusticolaLC
A rare non-breeding visitor to damp woodland and hedgerows in winter. Most likely encountered during cold weather movements.
Nov–Feb
Fieldfare
Turdus pilarisLC
An uncommon winter visitor, roaming farmland and hedgerows from October to April. Often seen alongside Redwings feeding on hawthorn berries in open fields.
Oct–Apr
Firecrest
Regulus ignicapillaLC
A rare non-breeding visitor found in sheltered woodland and scrub from October to February. Often located by its high-pitched call among mixed tit flocks.
Oct–Feb
Golden Plover
Pluvialis apricariaLC
A rare non-breeding visitor to open farmland, occasionally forming flocks on ploughed fields during autumn and winter months.
Sep–Apr
Goldeneye
Bucephala clangulaLC
A rare winter visitor from November to March, favouring larger lakes and gravel pits. The striking black-and-white males are a welcome sight in cold spells.
Nov–Mar
Northern Pintail
Anas acutaLC
A rare non-breeding visitor from autumn through to spring, favouring flooded fields and reservoir margins. An elegant duck always worth searching for.
Sep–Mar
Red Crossbill
Loxia curvirostraLC
A rare non-breeding visitor, appearing irregularly in conifer plantations during irruption years, mainly in winter and late summer.
Jul–Mar
Red-crested Pochard
Netta rufinaLC
A rare non-breeding visitor in winter months. Records may involve wild continental birds or escapees, making provenance often uncertain.
Dec–Mar
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
Stonechat
Saxicola torquatusLC
An uncommon non-breeding visitor favouring rough grassland and scrubby margins. Present from autumn through to early spring, often perching prominently on bushes.
Sep–Mar
Water Rail
Rallus aquaticusLC
A rare non-breeding visitor to reedbeds and marshy margins from autumn to spring. Secretive and more often heard than seen.
Oct–Apr
Passage
(5)
Bohemian Waxwing
Bombycilla garrulusLC
A rare and irruptive winter visitor, appearing in some years to feast on berry-laden trees in towns and parks. Sightings cause great excitement among local birders.
Dec–Mar
Great Grey Shrike
Lanius excubitorLC
A rare winter visitor, occasionally found perched prominently on heathland and open scrubby areas in the county.
Dec–Jan
Greater Scaup
Aythya marilaLC
A rare midwinter visitor, occasionally turning up on larger lakes and reservoirs. This primarily coastal diving duck is a scarce inland find.
Dec–Jan
Greater White-fronted Goose
Anser albifronsLC
A rare passage visitor noted in February and December. Small parties occasionally stop at gravel pits and reservoirs during cold-weather movements.
Dec–Feb
Hawfinch
Coccothraustes coccothraustesLC
A rare and elusive autumn–winter passage visitor, occasionally seen in mature woodland with hornbeam and cherry trees.
Oct–Dec