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 47–69 of 181 species
Curlew Sandpiper
Calidris ferrugineaNT
A rare autumn passage wader, occasionally found at muddy scrape edges in September and October.
Sep–Oct
Dunlin
Calidris alpinaLC
Present year-round but rare, found on muddy scrapes and washland edges, with numbers peaking during passage periods.
Year-round
Dunnock
Prunella modularisLC
A common and unobtrusive resident of hedgerows and garden undergrowth, present year-round with a thin, warbling song.
Year-round
Egyptian Goose
Alopochen aegyptiacaLC
An uncommon but increasing resident, now breeding on gravel pits and park lakes. This naturalised African species is spreading steadily across the county.
Year-round
Eurasian Bittern
Botaurus stellarisLC
A secretive resident of Fenland reedbeds, most often detected by its deep booming call in spring. A prized county speciality.
Mar–Jan
Eurasian Collared Dove
Streptopelia decaoctoLC
A familiar resident of gardens, farms, and villages across the county, with its monotonous three-note call heard year-round.
Year-round
Eurasian Jay
Garrulus glandariusLC
An uncommon but year-round resident of broadleaved woodland and mature gardens. Less numerous here than in western counties.
Year-round
Eurasian Nuthatch
Sitta europaeaLC
A rare resident slowly expanding its range into Cambridgeshire's mature broadleaved woodlands. Loud calls betray its presence at favoured parkland sites.
Year-round
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Eurasian Oystercatcher
Haematopus ostralegusNT
An uncommon breeder on fenland gravel pits and reservoir margins, arriving from February and departing by late summer.
Feb–Aug
Eurasian Siskin
Spinus spinusLC
An uncommon non-breeding visitor from autumn to spring, favouring alder and birch along river corridors. Often detected by its tinkling flight call.
Sep–Apr
Eurasian Skylark
Alauda arvensisLC
A common resident of the county's arable farmland and open fenland, singing in hovering flight year-round. Numbers have declined but it remains widespread.
Year-round
Eurasian Tree Sparrow
Passer montanusLC
A rare passage visitor in May and November, having declined severely across much of eastern England. Farmland edges and stubble fields offer the best chance.
Nov–May
Eurasian Wigeon
Mareca penelopeLC
Present year-round but most conspicuous in winter when numbers swell on the Ouse Washes and flooded fenland fields.
Year-round
Eurasian Woodcock
Scolopax rusticolaLC
A rare non-breeding visitor from November to March, skulking in damp woodland and hedgerows, most often flushed unexpectedly.
Nov–Mar
Eurasian Wren
Troglodytes troglodytesLC
A common resident found year-round in hedgerows, gardens, and fen edges, delivering a remarkably loud song for its tiny size.
Year-round
European Goldfinch
Carduelis carduelisLC
A common and colourful resident, readily visiting garden feeders. Flocks gather on waste ground and field margins to feed on thistles and teasels.
Year-round
European Green Woodpecker
Picus viridisLC
Resident in parkland and woodland edges, often heard giving its loud, laughing call. Feeds on ants in short grassland.
Year-round
European Herring Gull
Larus argentatusLC
A common year-round resident found at landfill sites, reservoirs and urban areas, with numbers swelling in winter.
Year-round
European Robin
Erithacus rubeculaLC
One of the most familiar garden birds, present year-round and among the first to sing at dawn across Cambridgeshire.
Year-round
European Turtle-dove
Streptopelia turturVU
A rare and rapidly declining summer visitor, arriving in late April to breed in thick hedgerows and scrubby farmland.
Apr–Sep
Fieldfare
Turdus pilarisLC
A common winter thrush arriving from October, often seen in noisy flocks feeding on berries and ploughed farmland.
Oct–Apr
Gadwall
Mareca streperaLC
A common resident on lakes and reservoirs, often overlooked among Mallards. Breeds at several Fenland wetland sites.
Year-round
Garden Warbler
Sylvia borinLC
An uncommon summer breeder favouring dense scrub and woodland with thick undergrowth. Its rich warbling song lacks the Blackcap's fluting quality.
Apr–Sep