Birds in Bristol
Explore 124 species found in this region.
Bristol's diverse landscapes, from the tidal mudflats of the Severn Estuary to the wooded gorges and urban parks, support an impressive array of birdlife. With 123 species recorded across the county, birders can enjoy sightings ranging from familiar garden visitors like Great Tits and Magpies to wetland specialists such as Common Shelduck and Common Reed-warbler. The region's mix of estuarine, woodland, and grassland habitats makes it a rewarding destination for birdwatching throughout the year.
Visiting in April? Look out for Bar-tailed Godwit and Barn Swallow arriving this month, and Eurasian Wigeon and Firecrest depart for the season.
Showing 47–69 of 124 species
European Green Woodpecker
Picus viridisLC
Resident in parkland and woodland edges, often feeding on ants in short grass. Its laughing call echoes across Bristol's valleys.
Year-round
European Herring Gull
Larus argentatusLC
A common resident nesting on rooftops across the city. Noisy and conspicuous, especially around the harbourside and parks.
Year-round
European Pied Flycatcher
Ficedula hypoleucaLC
A rare spring passage migrant, occasionally glimpsed in April in wooded areas. Breeds further west in Wales and the West Country.
Apr
European Robin
Erithacus rubeculaLC
A beloved and common resident of gardens, parks, and woodlands throughout Bristol. Sings year-round, even under streetlights.
Year-round
Fieldfare
Turdus pilarisLC
A rare winter visitor, sometimes joining Redwing flocks in open fields and berry-laden hedgerows from October to February.
Oct–Feb
Firecrest
Regulus ignicapillaLC
A rare resident of mature coniferous and mixed woodland. Listen for its high-pitched call in parks and churchyards, especially in autumn and winter.
Sep–Jun
Gadwall
Mareca streperaLC
A scarce year-round resident, occasionally found on quieter lakes and reservoirs such as Chew Valley and Blagdon.
Year-round
Garden Warbler
Sylvia borinLC
A rare and skulking summer breeder in dense scrub and woodland. More often heard than seen, present from April to August.
Apr–Aug
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Glossy Ibis
Plegadis falcinellusLC
A rare passage visitor in March. An increasingly recorded vagrant to southwest England, favouring wetland margins.
Mar
Goldcrest
Regulus regulusLC
Britain's smallest bird, common year-round in coniferous and mixed woodland. Its high-pitched call is easily overlooked.
Year-round
Great Black-backed Gull
Larus marinusLC
An uncommon but year-round resident, often seen along the Severn Estuary and at reservoirs. The largest British gull.
Year-round
Great Cormorant
Phalacrocorax carboLC
An uncommon year-round resident, regularly seen perched along the River Avon and at Chew Valley Lake, drying its wings.
Year-round
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Dendrocopos majorLC
A common resident in parks, gardens, and woodlands. Its loud drumming is a familiar spring sound across Bristol's green spaces.
Year-round
Great Tit
Parus majorLC
A bold and common garden resident throughout the year. Its see-sawing "teacher-teacher" song rings out from Bristol's parks and hedgerows.
Year-round
Green Sandpiper
Tringa ochropusLC
A rare August passage migrant, occasionally spotted along streams and muddy pool edges near the city.
Aug
Greenfinch
Chloris chlorisLC
An uncommon resident visiting garden feeders and nesting in dense hedges. Numbers have fallen sharply due to trichomonosis disease.
Year-round
Grey Heron
Ardea cinereaLC
An uncommon resident, often seen standing motionless along the River Avon and at local lakes and wetland reserves.
Year-round
Grey Wagtail
Motacilla cinereaLC
An uncommon resident along Bristol's rivers and streams, bobbing its long tail on rocks. Often seen near weirs and bridges year-round.
Year-round
Greylag Goose
Anser anserLC
A rare passage visitor recorded in April, with small flocks occasionally overflying the area during spring migration.
Apr
House Martin
Delichon urbicumLC
An uncommon summer visitor, nesting under eaves in older parts of the city. Declining nationally, present from April to October.
Apr–Oct
House Sparrow
Passer domesticusLC
A common year-round resident, nesting colonially under eaves and in roof spaces across Bristol's suburbs. Numbers have declined nationally.
Year-round
Jack Snipe
Lymnocryptes minimusLC
A secretive winter visitor to boggy margins and wet meadows. Rarely seen, preferring to sit tight rather than flush.
Nov–Jan
Jackdaw
Coloeus monedulaLC
Abundant year-round, nesting in chimneys and old buildings. Noisy flocks are a constant presence over Bristol's rooftops.
Year-round