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 139–161 of 161 species
Sedge Warbler
Acrocephalus schoenobaenusLC
An uncommon summer breeder arriving in April, favouring reedbeds and waterside scrub at sites like Priory Country Park.
Apr–Sep
Smew
Mergellus albellusLC
A rare winter visitor, occasionally recorded in February on larger waterbodies. The striking 'white nun' males are highly prized sightings in the county.
Feb
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
Spotted Flycatcher
Muscicapa striataLC
An uncommon and declining summer visitor from May to September, favouring woodland edges and mature gardens for nesting.
May–Sep
Spotted Redshank
Tringa erythropusLC
A rare autumn passage wader, recorded in September at wetland sites. A notable find at any of the county's reservoirs or pits.
Sep
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
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
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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
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
Western Marsh-harrier
Circus aeruginosusLC
A rare but increasingly regular resident, quartering reedbeds and wetlands. Part of a national range expansion.
Sep–Jul
Wheatear
Oenanthe oenantheLC
A rare visitor to open farmland and chalk downland, mainly seen on spring and autumn passage across the county.
Mar–Sep
Whimbrel
Numenius phaeopusLC
A rare spring passage migrant, occasionally stopping at wetland sites in April on its northward migration.
Apr
Whinchat
Saxicola rubetraLC
A rare autumn passage migrant from August to October, favouring rough grassland and scrubby field edges.
Aug–Oct
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
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 Wagtail
Motacilla flavaLC
An uncommon and declining summer visitor breeding in damp meadows and arable fields from April to September.
Apr–Sep
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