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 139–161 of 182 species
Ring Ouzel
Turdus torquatusLC
A rare spring passage migrant, occasionally spotted on moorland edges in April and May en route to upland breeding grounds.
Apr–May
Ringed Plover
Charadrius hiaticulaLC
A rare resident found on gravel shores and coastal margins. Breeds sparingly and more often seen on passage.
Feb–Dec
Rock Dove
Columba liviaLC
Common year-round in towns and cities across Cheshire, with feral populations thriving around buildings and urban centres.
Year-round
Rock Pipit
Anthus petrosusLC
A rare winter visitor to Cheshire's coast, foraging along rocky shores and saltmarshes from November to March.
Nov–Mar
Rook
Corvus frugilegusLC
An uncommon resident forming noisy rookeries in tall trees across Cheshire's farmland. Numbers have declined but colonies persist in rural areas.
Year-round
Rose-ringed Parakeet
Alexandrinus krameriLC
A rare resident on the edge of its expanding range, small numbers persist in suburban areas, far less established than in south-east England.
Year-round
Ruddy Duck
Oxyura jamaicensisLC
A rare resident, now heavily reduced by national eradication efforts. Small numbers may persist on Cheshire's meres and pools.
Year-round
Ruddy Shelduck
Tadorna ferrugineaLC
A rare breeder of uncertain origin, likely from escaped or feral stock. Found on lakes and reservoirs from spring to autumn.
Feb–Oct
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Ruddy Turnstone
Arenaria interpresLC
A rare non-breeding visitor to the Dee Estuary and rocky shores, present in winter and early spring.
Sep–Mar
Ruff
Philomachus pugnaxLC
An uncommon resident of Cheshire's marshes and wet grasslands. Numbers peak on autumn passage at sites like Frodsham.
Year-round
Sand Martin
Riparia ripariaLC
An uncommon summer visitor breeding in sandy riverbanks, arriving from March and gathering in flocks over meres before autumn departure.
Mar–Sep
Sanderling
Calidris albaLC
A rare passage migrant in spring and late summer, sometimes stopping at reservoir margins and coastal mudflats.
May–Sep
Sedge Warbler
Acrocephalus schoenobaenusLC
An uncommon summer breeder arriving in April, favouring reedbeds and waterside scrub around Cheshire's meres and wetland reserves.
Apr–Sep
Short-eared Owl
Asio flammeusLC
A rare winter visitor to Cheshire's open moorland and rough grassland fringes, arriving from November and lingering into early spring.
Nov–Mar
Smew
Mergellus albellusLC
A scarce winter visitor to Cheshire's meres and reservoirs, most likely between December and March. Females far outnumber striking males.
Dec–Mar
Song Thrush
Turdus philomelosLC
A common resident heard singing from gardens, parks and woodland across the county, often among the first to nest in spring.
Year-round
Sparrowhawk
Accipiter nisusLC
An uncommon but widespread resident, dashing through gardens and woodland in pursuit of small birds across the county year-round.
Year-round
Spotted Crake
Porzana porzanaLC
A rare autumn passage migrant in August and September, skulking in marshes and very difficult to observe.
Aug–Sep
Spotted Flycatcher
Muscicapa striataLC
A rare and declining summer breeder, arriving in May to nest in mature woodland edges and parkland across the county.
May–Sep
Spotted Redshank
Tringa erythropusLC
A rare visitor to Cheshire's marshes and estuaries, most likely on passage. Elegant dark plumage in summer aids identification.
Feb–Oct
Stock Dove
Columba oenasLC
A common resident breeding in mature trees across farmland and parkland. Often overlooked alongside the more familiar Woodpigeon.
Year-round
Stonechat
Saxicola torquatusLC
An uncommon resident of heathland and gorse-covered areas, perching prominently and flicking its tail year-round.
Year-round
Tawny Owl
Strix alucoLC
A scarce resident of mature woodland and parkland, more often heard than seen. Its familiar hooting call carries across Cheshire's wooded valleys year-round.
Year-round