Birds to See in Buckinghamshire in May
98 species matching this filter.
Buckinghamshire comes alive with birdsong in May, as summer migrants join resident species across the county's diverse habitats. With 98 species recorded during this month, birdwatchers can enjoy sightings ranging from Common Reed-warblers singing from reedbeds along the Thames and its tributaries to Garden Warblers hidden in the county's ancient woodlands. Wetland sites such as College Lake and the Colne Valley attract passage waders like Common Sandpiper and Greenshank, while House Martins and other hirundines fill the skies above Buckinghamshire's towns and villages.
Resident
(74)
Blackbird
Turdus merulaLC
One of the most abundant and familiar birds in the county, thriving in gardens, parks and woodland. Its rich, fluty song is a hallmark of Buckinghamshire evenings.
Year-round
Blackcap
Sylvia atricapillaLC
A common resident found in woodland and gardens year-round. Summer breeders are joined by wintering continental birds feeding on ivy berries.
Dec–Oct
Blue Tit
Cyanistes caeruleusLC
One of the county's most familiar garden birds, readily using nest boxes and feeders year-round. Its cheerful song is among the first heard in late winter.
Year-round
Bullfinch
Pyrrhula pyrrhulaLC
A rare but year-round resident of hedgerows, orchards and woodland edges. Its soft piping call is often heard before the bird is seen.
Year-round
Buzzard
Buteo buteoLC
An uncommon but increasing resident, often seen soaring over farmland and woodland edges in the Chilterns and Aylesbury Vale.
Year-round
Canada Goose
Branta canadensisLC
A common year-round resident found on lakes, reservoirs and gravel pits across the county. Often seen grazing on playing fields and parkland.
Year-round
Carrion Crow
Corvus coroneLC
Widespread and adaptable across the county, thriving in farmland, woodland edges, parks and urban areas alike. A resourceful and intelligent year-round resident.
Year-round
Cetti's Warbler
Cettia cettiLC
An uncommon but increasing resident of wetland margins and dense waterside vegetation. More often heard than seen, with its explosive burst of song.
Year-round
Chaffinch
Fringilla coelebsLC
A common year-round resident of woodlands, hedgerows and gardens. Winter flocks often gather on farmland, sometimes joined by continental migrants.
Year-round
Chiffchaff
Phylloscopus collybitaLC
Common in woodlands, hedgerows and parks, with some birds now overwintering in the county. Its distinctive two-note song is one of the earliest signs of spring in Buckinghamshire.
Year-round
Coal Tit
Periparus aterLC
Favours coniferous and mixed woodland across the county, often visiting garden feeders in winter. Smaller and less conspicuous than the more familiar blue and great tits.
Year-round
Common Kingfisher
Alcedo atthisLC
An uncommon year-round resident along clean rivers and streams. A flash of electric blue along the Thames and Chess is always a thrill.
Year-round
Common Pheasant
Phasianus colchicusLC
An uncommon year-round resident of farmland, hedgerows and woodland edges. Numbers sustained largely by annual releases for shooting.
Year-round
Common Raven
Corvus coraxLC
A rare but increasingly recorded resident, reflecting the species' ongoing range expansion south-eastward across England. Deep, resonant croaking calls may be heard over the Chiltern Hills.
Year-round
Common Shelduck
Tadorna tadornaLC
A rare resident, unusual this far inland. Small numbers occur on larger water bodies, with a gap in records during autumn.
Dec–Aug
Common Starling
Sturnus vulgarisLC
A familiar resident of towns, gardens and farmland, though declining nationally. Winter flocks can be spectacular, with murmurations sometimes gathering at roost sites across the county.
Year-round
Coot
Fulica atraLC
A common year-round resident on lakes, reservoirs, and gravel pits. Large winter flocks gather at favoured sites.
Year-round
Dunnock
Prunella modularisLC
A common and widespread resident, quietly foraging beneath hedgerows and garden shrubs throughout the year. Often overlooked despite its abundance.
Year-round
Egyptian Goose
Alopochen aegyptiacaLC
An uncommon but increasing resident, part of the expanding feral population in southern England. Nests near lakes and gravel pits.
Year-round
Eurasian Collared Dove
Streptopelia decaoctoLC
A common resident of gardens, farms and villages throughout the county. Its monotonous cooing call is a familiar suburban sound.
Year-round
Eurasian Jay
Garrulus glandariusLC
A year-round resident of Buckinghamshire's mature woodlands, often detected by its harsh screeching call. Plays a key role in oak regeneration by caching acorns in autumn.
Year-round
Eurasian Nuthatch
Sitta europaeaLC
A year-round resident of mature deciduous woodland, particularly the Chiltern beechwoods. Often heard giving its loud, ringing call as it spirals up tree trunks.
Year-round
Eurasian Skylark
Alauda arvensisLC
Found on open farmland and grassland across the county, though declining due to agricultural intensification. Its soaring song flight is a characteristic sound of the Buckinghamshire countryside.
Year-round
Eurasian Wren
Troglodytes troglodytesLC
Despite its tiny size, one of the loudest songsters in Buckinghamshire's hedgerows and gardens. A common resident that forages busily through dense undergrowth year-round.
Year-round
European Goldfinch
Carduelis carduelisLC
A common and colourful resident, frequently visiting garden feeders. Flocks gather on seed-rich farmland and waste ground through autumn and winter.
Year-round
European Green Woodpecker
Picus viridisLC
An uncommon resident of parkland, orchards, and woodland edges. Its loud, laughing call echoes across the Chilterns and Aylesbury Vale.
Year-round
European Herring Gull
Larus argentatusLC
Present year-round but uncommon, often seen at reservoirs, landfill sites, and playing fields. Less numerous here than in coastal counties.
Year-round
European Robin
Erithacus rubeculaLC
A familiar year-round resident of gardens, hedgerows and woodlands across the county, often the first bird heard singing on winter mornings.
Year-round
Gadwall
Mareca streperaLC
An uncommon resident found on lakes and gravel pits throughout the year. Numbers have increased at key wetland sites.
Year-round
Goldcrest
Regulus regulusLC
Britain's smallest bird, resident in coniferous and mixed woodland across Buckinghamshire. Its thin, high-pitched call is easily overlooked but present year-round in the Chilterns.
Year-round
Great Cormorant
Phalacrocorax carboLC
Common along rivers, lakes, and gravel pits throughout the year. Often seen perched with wings outstretched on posts beside the Thames.
Year-round
Great Crested Grebe
Podiceps cristatusLC
An uncommon year-round resident breeding on larger lakes and gravel pits. Its elaborate courtship display is a highlight of spring visits.
Year-round
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Dendrocopos majorLC
An uncommon resident of mature woodland and gardens, drumming loudly in spring. Readily visits peanut feeders in suburban areas.
Year-round
Great Tit
Parus majorLC
A common and confident visitor to gardens and woodlands throughout Buckinghamshire. Its loud, repetitive 'teacher-teacher' song rings out from early spring.
Year-round
Greenfinch
Chloris chlorisLC
A year-round resident of gardens, hedgerows, and farmland, though numbers have dropped sharply due to trichomonosis disease. Still visits feeders regularly.
Year-round
Grey Heron
Ardea cinereaLC
A familiar sight year-round, standing motionless beside rivers, lakes, and garden ponds. Heronries are well established in mature parkland trees.
Year-round
Grey Wagtail
Motacilla cinereaLC
An uncommon resident found along streams, weirs, and rivers, including the Chess and Misbourne. Its bobbing tail and bright yellow underparts are distinctive.
Year-round
Greylag Goose
Anser anserLC
An uncommon year-round resident, with feral populations established on gravel pits and reservoirs. Numbers bolstered by wild birds in winter.
Year-round
House Sparrow
Passer domesticusLC
A familiar year-round resident of towns and villages, though numbers have declined significantly. Nests colonially in roof spaces and hedgerows near houses.
Year-round
Jackdaw
Corvus monedulaLC
Commonly nests in church towers and old buildings across Buckinghamshire's towns and villages. Often seen in sociable flocks, frequently mixing with rooks over farmland.
Year-round
Kestrel
Falco tinnunculusLC
An uncommon year-round resident, hovering over roadside verges and farmland. Declining nationally but still a familiar sight in open countryside.
Year-round
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Larus fuscusLC
Common throughout the year, frequently seen soaring over towns and gathering at reservoirs and landfill sites across the county.
Year-round
Linnet
Linaria cannabinaLC
An uncommon resident of open farmland and scrubby margins, forming small flocks in winter. A Red List species declining across much of England.
Year-round
Little Egret
Egretta garzettaLC
Now resident year-round after colonising the county in recent decades. Regularly seen along rivers, lakes and gravel pits, a striking white presence at the water's edge.
Year-round
Little Grebe
Tachybaptus ruficollisLC
An uncommon year-round resident on ponds, canals, and slow rivers. Its distinctive whinnying trill carries across quiet waterways.
Year-round
Little Owl
Athene noctuaLC
A rare but resident owl of farmland, orchards, and parkland. Often spotted perched on fence posts during daylight hours.
Jan–Nov
Long-tailed Tit
Aegithalos caudatusLC
Charming acrobatic flocks move through hedgerows and woodland edges year-round. Family parties form noisy, trailing groups through Buckinghamshire's gardens and copses.
Year-round
Magpie
Pica picaLC
A bold and familiar sight across Buckinghamshire's gardens, parks and farmland. Commonly seen in pairs or small groups, easily recognised by its striking black-and-white plumage.
Year-round
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchosLC
A common resident on rivers, lakes, ponds, and park lakes across the county. Breeds widely in varied wetland habitats.
Year-round
Mandarin Duck
Aix galericulataLC
A scarce resident favouring wooded rivers and lakes with overhanging trees. The Chilterns beechwoods provide ideal nesting cavities.
Year-round
Meadow Pipit
Anthus pratensisLC
An uncommon resident found on rough grassland and open farmland, with numbers boosted in autumn and winter by birds moving from higher ground.
Year-round
Mistle Thrush
Turdus viscivorusLC
An uncommon resident of parkland, orchards and open woodland. One of the earliest songsters, often singing from tall trees from January onwards.
Year-round
Moorhen
Gallinula chloropusLC
A common resident of ponds, streams and ditches across the county. Readily seen in parks and gardens with even small water features.
Year-round
Mute Swan
Cygnus olorLC
A familiar sight on the Thames and its tributaries year-round. Breeds on rivers, lakes and canals throughout the county.
Year-round
Northern Lapwing
Vanellus vanellusNT
An uncommon but year-round resident of farmland and wet meadows. Numbers increase in winter with flocking birds on ploughed fields.
Year-round
Northern Shoveler
Spatula clypeataLC
An uncommon resident found on shallow lakes and reservoirs. Numbers peak in winter when continental birds supplement the local population.
Aug–Jun
Peregrine Falcon
Falco peregrinusLC
A rare year-round resident, increasingly seen around towns and church spires. Occasionally hunts over gravel pits and open farmland.
Year-round
Pochard
Aythya ferinaVU
An uncommon year-round resident on deeper lakes and reservoirs. A nationally declining species, making Buckinghamshire records increasingly valuable.
Year-round
Red Kite
Milvus milvusLC
A Buckinghamshire success story — common and conspicuous year-round following the Chilterns reintroduction. Soars over towns, farmland, and motorways.
Year-round
Red-legged Partridge
Alectoris rufaNT
A rare resident of farmland and field edges, often released for shooting. Present most months but seldom numerous.
Sep–Jul
Reed Bunting
Emberiza schoeniclusLC
An uncommon year-round resident of reedbeds, ditches, and damp scrubby margins. Can be found at reserves like College Lake and along the Grand Union Canal.
Year-round
Rock Dove
Columba liviaLC
Feral populations are uncommon residents in towns such as Aylesbury and High Wycombe. Nests on buildings and ledges year-round.
Year-round
Rook
Corvus frugilegusLC
Found in scattered rookeries across Buckinghamshire's agricultural lowlands, though declining in recent decades. Gregarious birds that nest colonially in tall trees near open fields.
Year-round
Rose-ringed Parakeet
Alexandrinus krameriLC
An uncommon but established resident, spreading from the London population. Noisy flocks frequent parks and gardens, especially near the south-east.
Year-round
Song Thrush
Turdus philomelosLC
A well-loved garden and woodland resident whose melodious, repetitive song carries across Buckinghamshire from early spring. Amber-listed due to ongoing population declines.
Year-round
Sparrowhawk
Accipiter nisusLC
An uncommon but widespread resident, dashing through gardens and woodland in pursuit of small birds. Often betrayed by panicked alarm calls of prey.
Year-round
Stock Dove
Columba oenasLC
An uncommon resident of parkland, mature woodland, and farmland with old trees. Nests in tree holes year-round.
Year-round
Stonechat
Saxicola torquatusLC
A rare resident, occasionally found on heathland scrub and rough grassland edges. More likely encountered in winter on open farmland margins.
Year-round
Tawny Owl
Strix alucoLC
A rare but year-round resident of mature woodland and large gardens. More often heard than seen, its hooting carries through Chilterns beechwoods.
Year-round
Treecreeper
Certhia familiarisLC
An uncommon year-round resident of mature woodland, spiralling up tree trunks in search of insects. Favours the beechwoods of the Chilterns.
Year-round
Tufted Duck
Aythya fuligulaLC
An uncommon year-round resident, favouring deeper lakes and gravel pits. Diving flocks are a familiar sight at larger waters.
Year-round
Wheatear
Oenanthe oenantheLC
A rare visitor to open farmland and ploughed fields, mainly seen on spring and autumn passage across the Chilterns and vale, bobbing distinctively on bare ground.
Mar–Sep
Woodpigeon
Columba palumbusLC
An abundant resident found everywhere from farmland to town centres. One of the county's most familiar birds, often seen in large flocks over arable fields.
Year-round
Yellowhammer
Emberiza citrinellaLC
An uncommon resident of farmland hedgerows and field margins, singing its distinctive song from prominent perches. A declining Red List species.
Year-round
Breeding
(23)
Barn Swallow
Hirundo rusticaLC
A summer visitor breeding around farms and rural buildings across Buckinghamshire from April to October. Declining nationally, making its graceful aerial foraging over fields an increasingly precious sight.
Apr–Oct
Common Reed-warbler
Acrocephalus scirpaceusLC
Breeds in reedbeds at sites such as College Lake and along the Thames corridor. A summer visitor arriving from Africa in late April, departing by September.
Apr–Sep
Common Sandpiper
Actitis hypoleucosLC
An uncommon visitor to reservoir edges and gravel pits, mainly on passage. Bobs its tail constantly along stony shores.
Apr–Oct
Common Swift
Apus apusLC
A common summer breeder screaming over towns and villages from April to August. Nests under eaves of older buildings.
Apr–Aug
Common Tern
Sterna hirundoLC
An uncommon breeding visitor from April to September, nesting on islands and rafts at gravel pits and reservoirs.
Apr–Sep
Corn Bunting
Emberiza calandraLC
A rare summer breeder on open arable farmland, singing its jangling song from fence posts. Severely declined and now a Red List species.
Apr–Jul
Cuckoo
Cuculus canorusLC
An uncommon and declining summer breeder arriving in April. Its distinctive call echoes from woodland edges and hedgerows.
Apr–Jun
Dunlin
Calidris alpinaLC
A rare breeding wader present from April to August, favouring wet grassland and gravel pit margins. Inland breeding records are increasingly scarce.
Apr–Aug
Eurasian Oystercatcher
Haematopus ostralegusNT
An uncommon breeder, increasingly nesting inland at gravel pits and reservoir margins from February to August.
Feb–Aug
Firecrest
Regulus ignicapillaLC
A rare breeding visitor from April to June, found in mature mixed woodland and conifer stands, particularly in the Chiltern Hills.
Apr–Jun
Garden Warbler
Sylvia borinLC
A secretive summer visitor to dense scrub and woodland understorey, present from April to August. More often heard than seen, with a rich, melodious warbling song.
Apr–Aug
Hobby
Falco subbuteoLC
A rare summer breeder arriving in May, hunting dragonflies and hirundines over gravel pits and wetlands until September departure.
May–Sep
House Martin
Delichon urbicumLC
An uncommon summer breeder arriving in April, nesting under eaves of buildings in towns and villages. Departs by October after gathering in flocks.
Apr–Oct
Lesser Whitethroat
Curruca currucaLC
A rare summer breeder arriving in April, favouring tall hedgerows and scrubby thickets. Its rattling song is distinctive but easily overlooked.
Apr–Sep
Little Ringed Plover
Charadrius dubiusLC
A rare summer breeder at gravel pits and bare shingle margins from March to September. An early spring migrant.
Mar–Sep
Redshank
Tringa totanusLC
A rare breeding wader found at wet meadows and reservoir margins from February to July. Numbers have declined significantly across inland England.
Feb–Jul
Ringed Plover
Charadrius hiaticulaLC
A rare breeding visitor to gravel pits and reservoir margins. Present from March to September, nesting on bare stony ground.
Mar–Sep
Sand Martin
Riparia ripariaLC
A rare breeding visitor, arriving in March and departing by September. Nests colonially in sandy banks along rivers and gravel workings.
Mar–Sep
Sedge Warbler
Acrocephalus schoenobaenusLC
A summer breeding visitor arriving in April, favouring reedbeds and waterside scrub along the county's rivers and gravel pits. Delivers a rapid, chattering song from dense cover.
Apr–Sep
Spotted Flycatcher
Muscicapa striataLC
A rare and declining summer breeder, arriving in May and favouring mature gardens, parkland, and woodland edges where it sallies from exposed perches to catch insects.
May–Sep
Whitethroat
Curruca communisLC
A summer breeding visitor favouring hedgerows and scrubby field margins across the county's farmland. Arrives in April and delivers its scratchy song from exposed perches.
Apr–Sep
Willow Warbler
Phylloscopus trochilusLC
An uncommon summer visitor breeding in scrubby woodland and hedgerows from April. Its gentle descending song is a hallmark of spring arrival.
Apr–Sep
Yellow Wagtail
Motacilla flavaLC
A rare and declining summer breeder, arriving in April to nest in lowland meadows and arable fields. A Red List species of high conservation concern.
Apr–Sep
