Birds to See in Bedfordshire in June
104 species matching this filter.
Bedfordshire comes alive with birdsong in June, with 104 species recorded across the county's diverse habitats, from the chalk downlands of the Chilterns to the wetlands of the Marston Vale and the River Great Ouse. Summer visitors such as Common Reed-warbler, Garden Warbler and House Martin are in full breeding mode, while resident favourites like Barn Owl, European Green Woodpecker and Great Tit remain active. The county's mix of farmland, woodland and waterways makes it a rewarding destination for birdwatchers during the peak of the breeding season.
New in June8
Resident
(78)
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 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 Shelduck
Tadorna tadornaLC
A rare resident present mainly from January to August. Occasionally breeds at gravel pits and reservoirs, though Bedfordshire is inland of its preferred coastal haunts.
Jan–Aug
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 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 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 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
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
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
Marsh Tit
Poecile palustrisLC
A rare and declining resident of mature deciduous woodland. Best looked for at sites like Marston Thrift and Maulden Wood.
Jun–Apr
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
Tawny Owl
Strix alucoLC
A rare but resident owl of mature woodland and parkland, more often heard than seen with its familiar hooting call.
Jun–Apr
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
Breeding
(24)
Barn Swallow
Hirundo rusticaLC
A common summer visitor from April to October, nesting in farm buildings and foraging over fields and waterways.
Apr–Oct
Common Reed-warbler
Acrocephalus scirpaceusLC
An uncommon summer breeder found in reedbeds from April to September. The Marston Vale wetlands provide key habitat.
Apr–Sep
Common Swift
Apus apusLC
A common summer breeder screaming over towns and villages from late April to September, nesting under eaves and in roof spaces.
Apr–Sep
Common Tern
Sterna hirundoLC
An uncommon breeding visitor to gravel pits and reservoirs from April to September. Nests on islands and rafts at key wetland sites.
Apr–Sep
Cuckoo
Cuculus canorusLC
An uncommon summer visitor from April to August, its distinctive call heard around wetlands and woodland where it parasitises reed warblers.
Apr–Aug
Eurasian Bittern
Botaurus stellarisLC
A rare breeding bird at reedbeds in the county, with booming males present from March. A conservation success story.
Mar–Jun
Eurasian Oystercatcher
Haematopus ostralegusNT
An uncommon breeder at gravel pits and reservoir margins, arriving from February and increasingly nesting inland in the county.
Feb–Aug
European Turtle-dove
Streptopelia turturVU
A rare and declining summer breeder, arriving in May to nest in scrubby hedgerows. One of Britain's fastest-declining birds.
May–Jul
Garden Warbler
Sylvia borinLC
An uncommon summer breeder arriving in late April, favouring dense scrub and woodland understorey. Heard far more often than seen.
Apr–Sep
Grasshopper Warbler
Locustella naeviaLC
A rare breeding visitor from April to June, best detected by its distinctive reeling song from dense scrubby wetland margins.
Apr–Jun
Hobby
Falco subbuteoLC
An uncommon summer breeder, arriving in April and hunting dragonflies over wetlands and gravel pits until autumn.
Apr–Oct
House Martin
Delichon urbicumLC
An uncommon summer visitor nesting under eaves in towns and villages. Numbers have declined significantly in recent decades.
Apr–Oct
Lesser Whitethroat
Curruca currucaLC
An uncommon summer breeder of tall hedgerows and scrubby thickets, arriving in April. Its rattling song is distinctive but brief.
Apr–Sep
Little Owl
Athene noctuaLC
A rare and declining breeder, found around old farmsteads and hedgerow trees. Sightings are mainly in spring and summer months.
Mar–Jul
Little Ringed Plover
Charadrius dubiusLC
An uncommon summer breeder at gravel pits and bare ground near water, present from March to September.
Mar–Sep
Nightingale
Luscinia megarhynchosLC
An uncommon breeding visitor from April to June; Bedfordshire lies near the northern edge of its English range.
Apr–Jun
Ringed Plover
Charadrius hiaticulaLC
A rare breeder at gravel pits and reservoir margins from spring to early autumn. Nesting habitat is limited in the county.
Feb–Sep
Sand Martin
Riparia ripariaLC
An uncommon summer breeder nesting colonially in sandy riverbanks and quarry faces. Arrives from March and departs by September.
Mar–Sep
Sedge Warbler
Acrocephalus schoenobaenusLC
An uncommon summer breeder arriving in April, favouring reedbeds and waterside scrub at sites like Priory Country Park.
Apr–Sep
Spotted Flycatcher
Muscicapa striataLC
An uncommon and declining summer visitor from May to September, favouring woodland edges and mature gardens for nesting.
May–Sep
Whitethroat
Curruca communisLC
A common summer visitor breeding in hedgerows and scrubby field margins from April to September across the county.
Apr–Sep
Willow Warbler
Phylloscopus trochilusLC
An uncommon breeding visitor from April to September, declining in the county and now scarcer than its cousin the Chiffchaff.
Apr–Sep
Wood Sandpiper
Tringa glareolaLC
A rare visitor to shallow pools and flooded gravel pits from spring to autumn. One of the scarcer waders recorded in the county.
Apr–Sep
Yellow Wagtail
Motacilla flavaLC
An uncommon and declining summer visitor breeding in damp meadows and arable fields from April to September.
Apr–Sep
Passage
(2)
Aquatic Warbler
Acrocephalus paludicolaVU
A globally threatened species recorded only as a rare passage visitor, with occasional June records at wetland sites.
Jun
Black-tailed Godwit
Limosa limosaNT
A rare passage wader seen at gravel pits and reservoirs in summer months. Most records fall between June and August.
Jun–Aug