Birds in Bedfordshire
Explore 161 species found in this region.
Bedfordshire may be one of England's smaller counties, but it supports a remarkably diverse range of birdlife, with around 160 species recorded across its varied habitats. From the wetlands of the Marston Vale and the River Great Ouse to ancient woodlands and open farmland, the county attracts everything from elegant Northern Pintails and Mandarin Ducks to scarcer visitors such as the Great Grey Shrike. Notable residents and passage migrants like the Eurasian Woodcock, Northern Lapwing, and Common Sandpiper make Bedfordshire a rewarding destination for birdwatchers throughout the year.
Visiting in April? Look out for Arctic Tern and Bar-tailed Godwit arriving this month, and Bohemian Waxwing and Curlew depart for the season.
Showing 24–46 of 161 species
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 Loon
Gavia immerLC
A rare midwinter visitor, very occasionally found on larger reservoirs and gravel pits in the county.
Jan
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 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 Redstart
Phoenicurus phoenicurusLC
A rare passage migrant glimpsed briefly in April and again in August–September, typically in scrubby or wooded habitats.
Apr–Sep
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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 Sandpiper
Actitis hypoleucosLC
An uncommon visitor to reservoir edges and gravel pits, mainly on passage from April to October. Bobs distinctively along shorelines.
Apr–Oct
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 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
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
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
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
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
Curlew
Numenius arquataNT
A rare passage visitor, recorded briefly in March. Once more regular, this declining wader is now scarce inland in the county.
Mar
Dartford Warbler
Curruca undataNT
A rare passage visitor, occasionally turning up on heathland edges in November. This species is primarily resident on southern heaths and seldom strays this far inland.
Nov
Dunlin
Calidris alpinaLC
A rare wader seen on passage at gravel pits and reservoirs, mainly in spring and autumn with occasional winter records.
Feb–Nov
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