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 162–181 of 181 species
Temminck's Stint
Calidris temminckiiLC
A rare spring passage migrant in May, favouring muddy margins and shallow pools at gravel pits and fenland reserves.
May
Treecreeper
Certhia familiarisLC
An uncommon but year-round resident of mature woodland, spiralling up tree trunks in search of insects. Quiet and easily overlooked.
Year-round
Tufted Duck
Aythya fuligulaLC
Common year-round on gravel pits, reservoirs, and park lakes. Breeds readily and winter numbers are boosted by continental birds.
Year-round
Tundra Bean Goose
Anser serrirostrisLC
A rare passage visitor recorded in midwinter, occasionally appearing on flooded fenland fields among other wild goose flocks.
Dec–Jan
Tundra Swan
Cygnus columbianusLC
A rare winter visitor from November to February, occasionally appearing on the Ouse Washes and flooded fenland fields alongside Whooper Swans.
Nov–Feb
Water Pipit
Anthus spinolettaLC
A rare winter visitor from November to March, favouring watercress beds and marshy margins. Most records come from the Ouse Washes and similar wetland sites.
Nov–Mar
Water Rail
Rallus aquaticusLC
A secretive resident of reedbeds and marshy ditches, more often heard squealing than seen. Present year-round.
Year-round
Western Marsh-harrier
Circus aeruginosusLC
Resident in the Fens, quartering over reedbeds and marshes year-round. The Ouse and Nene Washes are key strongholds.
Year-round
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Wheatear
Oenanthe oenantheLC
A rare passage migrant passing through in spring and autumn, pausing on ploughed fields and short grassland.
Apr–Sep
Whimbrel
Numenius phaeopusLC
A rare spring passage migrant in April and May, pausing briefly on fenland washlands and wet grasslands on its way north.
Apr–May
Whinchat
Saxicola rubetraLC
A rare passage migrant seen briefly in spring and late summer, favouring rough grassland and fenland margins.
May–Sep
White-winged Tern
Chlidonias leucopterusLC
A rare passage migrant from eastern Europe, occasionally appearing over Fen pools and gravel pits in June and August.
Jun–Aug
Whitethroat
Curruca communisLC
A common summer breeder arriving in April, singing from hedgerows and scrubby field margins across the county's farmland. Departs by September.
Apr–Sep
Whooper Swan
Cygnus cygnusLC
An uncommon year-round presence, with the Ouse Washes hosting a notable wintering herd. Some birds linger through summer at fenland wetland sites.
Year-round
Willow Warbler
Phylloscopus trochilusLC
An uncommon breeding visitor to scrubby woodland edges and heathland patches. Has declined in lowland Cambridgeshire, now scarcer than the similar Chiffchaff.
Apr–Sep
Wood Sandpiper
Tringa glareolaLC
A rare passage wader seen at freshwater scrapes and flooded fields, mainly in late summer and early autumn.
May–Sep
Woodpigeon
Columba palumbusLC
An abundant resident found in gardens, farmland, and woodland throughout the county. One of the most familiar birds in the region.
Year-round
Yellow Wagtail
Motacilla flavaLC
An uncommon summer breeder on the Fens' wet grasslands and arable fields, arriving in April and departing by October. Numbers have declined significantly.
Apr–Oct
Yellow-legged Gull
Larus michahellisLC
Uncommon but present year-round, often mixed in with other large gulls at landfill sites, reservoirs, and gravel pits.
Year-round
Yellowhammer
Emberiza citrinellaLC
An uncommon resident of farmland hedgerows and field margins, singing its distinctive 'little-bit-of-bread-and-no-cheese' song. Numbers have declined across the county.
Year-round