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 70–92 of 134 species
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 Partridge
Perdix perdixLC
A rare and declining farmland bird, now very scarce in the county. Occasionally recorded on arable fields in winter.
Jan
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
Hawfinch
Coccothraustes coccothraustesLC
A rare passage visitor in November, most likely seen around mature beech and hornbeam woodland in the Chilterns. An elusive and declining species.
Nov
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
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
Spotted something?
Upload a photo to identify it
Identify
Jackdaw
Coloeus 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
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
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
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
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
Marsh Tit
Poecile palustrisLC
A scarce resident of mature deciduous woodland, particularly in the Chilterns beechwoods. A species of conservation concern, declining nationally despite Buckinghamshire remaining a stronghold.
Jun–Apr
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