Birds in Buckinghamshire
Explore 134 species found in this region.
Buckinghamshire is home to an impressive 134 recorded bird species, reflecting the county's diverse mix of habitats including the Chiltern Hills, ancient woodlands, farmland, and river valleys such as the Thames and Great Ouse. From iconic species like the Barn Owl hunting over open fields to the striking Mandarin Duck found along wooded waterways, the county offers rewarding birdwatching throughout the year. Wetland areas and reservoirs also attract notable visitors such as the Common Merganser, Greenshank, and Common Sandpiper, particularly during migration seasons.
Visiting in April? Look out for Barn Swallow and Common Redstart arriving this month, and Brambling and Eurasian Siskin depart for the season.
Showing 47–69 of 134 species
Eurasian Wigeon
Mareca penelopeLC
An uncommon winter visitor to flooded meadows and reservoirs. Present from autumn to early spring, often in small flocks.
Sep–Apr
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
Fieldfare
Turdus pilarisLC
An uncommon winter visitor from northern Europe, foraging in flocks across open farmland and hedgerows from October to April alongside redwings.
Oct–Apr
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
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Gadwall
Mareca streperaLC
An uncommon resident found on lakes and gravel pits throughout the year. Numbers have increased at key wetland sites.
Year-round
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
Garganey
Spatula querquedulaLC
A rare passage migrant recorded in late summer. Look for this scarce duck on shallow pools and reservoir margins in August–September.
Aug–Sep
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
Golden Plover
Pluvialis apricariaLC
A rare non-breeding visitor to ploughed fields and wet grassland from October to March. Flocks are usually small.
Oct–Mar
Goldeneye
Bucephala clangulaLC
A rare winter visitor from November to April, found on larger reservoirs and gravel pits. Numbers are typically very small.
Nov–Apr
Great Black-backed Gull
Larus marinusLC
A rare non-breeding visitor mainly in winter months, occasionally seen loafing at larger reservoirs and gravel pits alongside other gulls.
Jul–Mar
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
Great White Egret
Ardea albaLC
A rare but increasingly recorded resident at wetlands and gravel pits. Part of a wider colonisation trend across southern England.
Jul–Apr
Green Sandpiper
Tringa ochropusLC
A rare but year-round visitor to waterways and gravel pits, often flushed from ditches and muddy pond edges with a distinctive bobbing flight.
Jun–Apr
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
Greenshank
Tringa nebulariaLC
Rare passage visitor in spring and autumn, pausing at reservoirs and flooded gravel pits. Its ringing call often betrays its presence.
Apr–Sep