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 93–115 of 134 species
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 Pintail
Anas acutaLC
A rare winter visitor to reservoirs and gravel pits. Small numbers appear from September, with most records in the coldest months.
Sep–Feb
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
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Purple Heron
Ardea purpureaLC
An extremely rare passage visitor, with August records likely involving overshooting continental migrants at larger wetland sites.
Aug
Red Crossbill
Loxia curvirostraLC
A rare and irruptive passage visitor, occasionally recorded in October in conifer plantations. Appearances depend on continental cone crop failures.
Oct
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
Red-necked Phalarope
Phalaropus lobatusLC
A rare September passage vagrant, an exciting find at any inland site. Occasionally stops at reservoirs and sewage works on migration.
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
Redwing
Turdus iliacusNT
A common winter visitor arriving from Scandinavia in October, feeding on hedgerow berries and open fields. Often found alongside fieldfares.
Oct–Apr
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
Ring Ouzel
Turdus torquatusLC
A rare passage visitor in April, occasionally spotted on the Chiltern Hills as it moves to upland breeding grounds further north and west.
Apr
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
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
Ruff
Philomachus pugnaxLC
A rare passage migrant glimpsed at muddy scrapes and reservoir edges in April and again in late summer. Most records come from sites like Little Marlow.
Apr–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