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 116–134 of 134 species
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
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
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
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
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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
Water Rail
Rallus aquaticusLC
A secretive rare resident of reedbeds and marshy ditches. More often heard squealing than seen, especially in winter.
Jul–Apr
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
Whinchat
Saxicola rubetraLC
A rare autumn passage migrant seen in August and September, favouring rough grassland and scrubby field margins as it heads south to sub-Saharan Africa.
Aug–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
Wood Sandpiper
Tringa glareolaLC
A rare August passage migrant, occasionally stopping at gravel pits and reservoir margins in the county during southward migration.
Aug
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
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
Yellow-legged Gull
Larus michahellisLC
Rare passage visitor in late autumn and winter, sometimes found among gull flocks at larger reservoirs and tips.
Nov–Jan
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