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 139–161 of 181 species
Redwing
Turdus iliacusNT
A common winter visitor from Scandinavia, arriving from October and foraging in hedgerows and open fields across the Fens.
Sep–Apr
Reed Bunting
Emberiza schoeniclusLC
A common resident of reedbeds, ditches, and fenland margins, well suited to Cambridgeshire's extensive wetland habitats.
Year-round
Ring Ouzel
Turdus torquatusLC
A rare spring passage migrant, occasionally recorded in April on open ground. This upland thrush is a scarce find in the lowland Fens.
Apr
Ringed Plover
Charadrius hiaticulaLC
Breeds uncommonly at gravel pits and reservoir edges from spring into autumn, favouring bare shingle and sandy margins.
Mar–Oct
Rock Dove
Columba liviaLC
Feral pigeons are abundant in Cambridge and other towns year-round, nesting on buildings and bridges.
Year-round
Rock Pipit
Anthus petrosusLC
A rare October passage migrant, very occasionally recorded at gravel pits or reservoir margins far from its usual rocky coasts.
Oct
Rook
Corvus frugilegusLC
A common resident forming noisy rookeries in tall trees across the county's farmland. Large flocks forage in ploughed fields throughout the year.
Year-round
Rose-ringed Parakeet
Alexandrinus krameriLC
A rare and irregular visitor in autumn, part of the species' slow spread from established London populations into East Anglia.
Oct–Nov
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Ruddy Shelduck
Tadorna ferrugineaLC
A rare August passage record, with origins often uncertain. Sightings may involve genuine vagrants from Central Asia or escaped captive birds.
Aug
Ruddy Turnstone
Arenaria interpresLC
A rare inland passage visitor in late summer, occasionally stopping at gravel pits and reservoir margins.
Aug–Sep
Ruff
Philomachus pugnaxLC
Scarce year-round on the Ouse Washes and fenland scrapes, once bred here but now mainly a passage and winter visitor.
Year-round
Sand Martin
Riparia ripariaLC
An uncommon summer visitor nesting colonially in sandy riverbanks and gravel pits. Arrives from March and gathers in pre-migration roosts by late summer.
Mar–Sep
Sanderling
Calidris albaLC
A rare spring passage visitor, briefly stopping at reservoir margins and gravel pits in May.
May
Sedge Warbler
Acrocephalus schoenobaenusLC
A common summer breeder arriving in April, favouring the county's abundant fenland ditches and reedbed margins. Delivers a rapid, chattering song.
Apr–Sep
Short-eared Owl
Asio flammeusLC
A rare winter visitor to open Fenland, hunting over rough grassland and marshes. Occasionally lingers into early spring.
Nov–Apr
Smew
Mergellus albellusLC
A scarce but eagerly sought winter visitor, favouring gravel pits and reservoirs from December to March.
Dec–Mar
Song Thrush
Turdus philomelosLC
A common resident breeding in gardens, hedgerows, and woodland. Its melodious, repetitive song is a hallmark of spring.
Year-round
Sparrowhawk
Accipiter nisusLC
A year-round resident, often glimpsed dashing through gardens and along hedgerows. Breeds in woodland edges across the county.
Year-round
Spotted Flycatcher
Muscicapa striataLC
A rare and declining summer breeder, arriving in May and favouring mature woodland edges and large gardens with open perches.
May–Sep
Spotted Redshank
Tringa erythropusLC
A rare passage migrant seen in spring and autumn at fenland scrapes and shallow pools, often alongside other waders.
Apr–Sep
Stock Dove
Columba oenasLC
A common resident nesting in tree holes across farmland and parkland, often seen in fast, direct flight over fields.
Year-round
Stonechat
Saxicola torquatusLC
An uncommon resident favouring rough grassland, heathland fringes, and fen edges. More often seen in winter months.
Year-round
Tawny Owl
Strix alucoLC
A scarce resident of mature woodland and parkland. Its hooting call is heard in areas like Wandlebury and the Brampton Woods.
Year-round