Birds in Cambridgeshire
Explore 181 species found in this region.
Cambridgeshire is home to a remarkable diversity of birdlife, with 177 species recorded across the county's varied landscapes of fenland, river valleys, farmland, and wetland reserves. The region's low-lying wetlands attract impressive numbers of wildfowl and waders, including Pink-footed Goose, Northern Pintail, and Northern Lapwing, while woodlands and hedgerows support resident species such as Great Tit and Magpie. Notable sites like the Ouse Washes and Wicken Fen make Cambridgeshire one of eastern England's premier birdwatching destinations.
Visiting in April? Look out for Arctic Tern and Bar-tailed Godwit arriving this month, and Brambling and Common Loon depart for the season.
Showing 24–46 of 181 species
Chiffchaff
Phylloscopus collybitaLC
A common resident whose distinctive two-note song is heard in woodlands and gardens year-round. Increasingly overwinters in Cambridgeshire's milder conditions.
Year-round
Coal Tit
Periparus aterLC
An uncommon resident preferring coniferous and mixed woodland. Less widespread than Blue or Great Tit in this largely lowland arable county.
Year-round
Common Crane
Grus grusLC
A rare but increasing resident, part of the recolonisation of eastern England. Occasionally seen over Fenland landscapes.
Year-round
Common Gull
Larus canusLC
An uncommon year-round resident, frequenting playing fields, reservoirs and farmland, often mixed in with other gulls.
Year-round
Common Kingfisher
Alcedo atthisLC
Found year-round along the county's rivers, lodes, and drainage channels. A flash of electric blue along the Cam or Great Ouse.
Year-round
Common Loon
Gavia immerLC
A rare non-breeding visitor to larger water bodies in winter months, most likely at Grafham Water or gravel pits.
Nov–Mar
Common Merganser
Mergus merganserLC
A rare winter visitor to larger rivers and reservoirs, occasionally seen in small parties from November to April.
Nov–Apr
Common Pheasant
Phasianus colchicusLC
Abundant and widespread across farmland, hedgerows, and woodland edges year-round, sustained by regular releases.
Year-round
Spotted something?
Upload a photo to identify it
Identify
Common Raven
Corvus coraxLC
A rare but increasing resident, part of the species' recent eastward spread into the lowlands of Cambridgeshire.
Year-round
Common Redpoll
Acanthis flammeaLC
A rare non-breeding visitor from autumn to early spring, associating with birch and alder stands. Often found in mixed flocks with Lesser Redpolls.
Sep–Apr
Common Redstart
Phoenicurus phoenicurusLC
A rare autumn passage migrant, occasionally glimpsed in September at scrubby sites and coastal-style habitats in the county.
Sep
Common Reed-warbler
Acrocephalus scirpaceusLC
A common breeding visitor to Cambridgeshire's reedbeds and waterside vegetation from April to September. Its repetitive churring song carries across the fens.
Apr–Sep
Common Sandpiper
Actitis hypoleucosLC
Bobs along reservoir edges and gravel pit shores, most regularly seen on passage from spring through autumn.
Apr–Dec
Common Scoter
Melanitta nigraLC
A rare passage visitor in late autumn, occasionally dropping onto reservoirs and gravel pits during stormy weather.
Nov–Dec
Common Shelduck
Tadorna tadornaLC
An uncommon resident breeding around gravel pits and fenland washes. More conspicuous in spring when pairs display along waterway margins.
Year-round
Common Snipe
Gallinago gallinagoLC
Resident in wet meadows and reedbeds year-round, more conspicuous in winter when 'drumming' display is absent.
Year-round
Common Starling
Sturnus vulgarisLC
A common resident that gathers in large winter roosts across the county. Numbers have declined nationally but it remains widespread here.
Year-round
Common Swift
Apus apusLC
A common summer visitor screaming over Cambridge rooftops from late April to August. Nests in older buildings.
Apr–Sep
Common Tern
Sterna hirundoLC
A common summer breeder from April to September, nesting on rafts and islands at gravel pits and Fen reserves.
Apr–Sep
Coot
Fulica atraLC
A common year-round resident on lakes, gravel pits and the Fens, often forming large winter flocks on open water.
Year-round
Corn Bunting
Emberiza calandraLC
An uncommon but characteristic resident of open arable farmland, delivering its jangling song from fence posts and wires.
Year-round
Cuckoo
Cuculus canorusLC
Arrives in April to breed, its distinctive call heard around reedbeds and fenland. Declining but still present locally.
Apr–Jul
Curlew
Numenius arquataNT
A rare passage visitor, occasionally noted in April and June over fenland fields. Once bred locally but now largely absent.
Apr–Jun