Birds in Cheshire
Explore 182 species found in this region.
Cheshire is a rewarding county for birdwatchers, supporting 178 recorded species across a rich mosaic of habitats including meres, mosses, farmland, estuaries, and woodland. The Dee Estuary and wetlands such as those at Woolston Eyes attract notable species like Great White Egret, Hen Harrier, and Goldeneye, while resident birds such as Cetti's Warbler and Linnet can be found year-round. From wintering wildfowl to summer visitors like the Common Swift, Cheshire offers excellent birding opportunities throughout the seasons.
Visiting in April? Look out for Arctic Tern and Common Redstart arriving this month, and Eurasian Bittern and Eurasian Woodcock depart for the season.
Showing 24–46 of 182 species
Common Gull
Larus canusLC
An uncommon resident found on farmland, playing fields, and reservoirs throughout the year. Often mixes with larger gull flocks at winter roost sites.
Year-round
Common Kingfisher
Alcedo atthisLC
Present year-round along Cheshire's rivers and meres, this dazzling resident is uncommon but regularly seen perched over clean waterways.
Year-round
Common Loon
Gavia immerLC
A rare passage visitor, occasionally recorded in November on larger water bodies or along the coast. Known as Great Northern Diver in British usage.
Nov
Common Merganser
Mergus merganserLC
An uncommon resident found on rivers and meres year-round. Often seen on the Dee and Weaver, diving for fish in clear water.
Jul–May
Common Pheasant
Phasianus colchicusLC
A common resident of farmland, woodland edges and hedgerows throughout the county, largely sustained by game releases.
Year-round
Common Raven
Corvus coraxLC
An uncommon but increasing resident, now regularly seen soaring over farmland and the eastern hills with its deep croaking call.
Year-round
Common Redpoll
Acanthis flammeaLC
An uncommon resident favouring birch and alder woodland, sometimes visiting garden feeders in winter flocks.
Sep–Jul
Common Redstart
Phoenicurus phoenicurusLC
A rare summer breeder found mainly in oak woodlands along Cheshire's eastern fringes, arriving from April.
Apr–Aug
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Common Reed-warbler
Acrocephalus scirpaceusLC
An uncommon summer breeder found in reedbeds around Cheshire's meres and wetlands from April to September. Its chattering song reveals its presence.
Apr–Sep
Common Sandpiper
Actitis hypoleucosLC
An uncommon summer breeder from April to October, bobbing along stony river edges and reservoir shorelines.
Apr–Oct
Common Scoter
Melanitta nigraLC
A rare passage visitor in July, sometimes seen on the Dee Estuary or larger meres during midsummer movements.
Jul
Common Shelduck
Tadorna tadornaLC
Common year-round, breeding on the Dee and Mersey estuaries. Large moulting flocks gather in late summer.
Year-round
Common Snipe
Gallinago gallinagoLC
An uncommon resident breeding on damp moorland and wet grassland. More widespread in winter across lowland marshes and meres.
Year-round
Common Starling
Sturnus vulgarisLC
A common year-round resident, forming spectacular winter murmurations. Despite national declines, it remains a familiar sight on Cheshire's lawns and rooftops.
Year-round
Common Swift
Apus apusLC
A common summer breeder screaming over Cheshire's towns and villages from late April to August. Nests in older buildings.
Apr–Sep
Common Tern
Sterna hirundoLC
An uncommon breeding visitor arriving in April, nesting on rafts and islands at meres and reservoirs. Departs by late August after raising young.
Apr–Aug
Coot
Fulica atraLC
A common resident on meres, lakes and reservoirs across Cheshire, often forming large winter flocks.
Year-round
Corn Bunting
Emberiza calandraLC
A rare breeding visitor present only from May to July, clinging on in scattered arable areas. One of Cheshire's most threatened farmland birds.
May–Jul
Cuckoo
Cuculus canorusLC
A rare summer breeder arriving in April, its distinctive call heard around reedbeds and woodland edges. Declining across the region.
Apr–Jul
Curlew
Numenius arquataNT
An uncommon year-round resident, breeding on upland pastures in the east and wintering on estuarine mudflats. Numbers are declining.
Year-round
Curlew Sandpiper
Calidris ferrugineaNT
A rare passage wader in late summer and autumn, occasionally appearing at inland pools and muddy scrapes.
May–Oct
Dipper
Cinclus cinclusLC
A rare resident of fast-flowing streams in eastern Cheshire's hills, bobbing on rocks and diving for aquatic invertebrates.
Aug–May
Dunlin
Calidris alpinaLC
Found year-round on the Dee and Mersey estuaries, favouring mudflats and saltmarshes. Numbers peak in winter with visiting flocks from northern breeding grounds.
Year-round