Birds to See in Cornwall in April
177 bird species on our list for Cornwall are recorded regularly in April
Of these, the most often recorded are European Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Eurasian Wren, Carrion Crow and Blackbird. New this month: Common Swift, Whitethroat, House Martin and Sedge Warbler and 28 more.
On the move in April
GBIF · AprArriving
At their peak
From Cornwall’s bird records, 2019–2024: arriving birds are regular this month but not last; leaving birds are regular this month but not next.
Other months
All 177 birds in April
177 birds
European Herring GullLarus argentatusResidentCommon55–67 cmRecorded all year · 3.60% in Apr
WoodpigeonColumba palumbusResidentCommon40–42 cmRecorded all year · 3.19% in Apr
Eurasian WrenTroglodytes troglodytesResidentCommon9–10 cmRecorded all year · 3.17% in Apr
Carrion CrowCorvus coroneResidentCommon45–47 cmRecorded all year · 3.10% in Apr
BlackbirdTurdus merulaResidentCommon24–25 cmRecorded all year · 3.04% in Apr
European RobinErithacus rubeculaResidentCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 2.90% in Apr
ChiffchaffPhylloscopus collybitaResidentCommon10–12 cmRecorded all year · 2.89% in Apr
JackdawColoeus monedulaResidentCommon34–39 cmRecorded all year · 2.61% in Apr
DunnockPrunella modularisResidentCommon14–15 cmRecorded all year · 2.61% in Apr
European GoldfinchCarduelis carduelisResidentCommon12–13 cmRecorded all year · 2.57% in Apr
ChaffinchFringilla coelebsResidentCommon14–16 cmRecorded all year · 2.47% in Apr
Blue TitCyanistes caeruleusResidentCommon11–12 cmRecorded all year · 2.31% in Apr
Barn SwallowHirundo rusticaSummer visitorCommon17–19 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 2.21% in Apr
Great TitParus majorResidentCommonRecorded all year · 2.15% in Apr
LinnetLinaria cannabinaSummer visitorCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 2.05% in Apr
MagpiePica picaResidentCommon44–46 cmRecorded all year · 1.93% in Apr
House SparrowPasser domesticusResidentCommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 1.91% in Apr
BlackcapSylvia atricapillaResidentCommon13–15 cmRecorded all year · 1.76% in Apr
Great Black-backed GullLarus marinusResidentCommon64–79 cmRecorded all year · 1.69% in Apr
RookCorvus frugilegusResidentCommon45–47 cmRecorded all year · 1.56% in Apr
Song ThrushTurdus philomelosResidentCommon20–23 cmRecorded all year · 1.56% in Apr
BuzzardButeo buteoResidentCommon51–57 cmRecorded all year · 1.49% in Apr
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscusResidentCommon52–64 cmRecorded all year · 1.38% in Apr
GreenfinchChloris chlorisResidentCommon15–16 cmRecorded all year · 1.35% in Apr
European ShagGulosus aristotelisResidentCommon65–80 cmRecorded all year · 1.32% in Apr
Common PheasantPhasianus colchicusResidentCommon50–90 cmRecorded all year · 1.29% in Apr
MallardAnas platyrhynchosResidentCommon50–65 cmRecorded all year · 1.25% in Apr
Willow WarblerPhylloscopus trochilusSummer visitorCommon11–13 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 1.24% in Apr
Pied WagtailMotacilla albaResidentCommon17–19 cmRecorded all year · 1.21% in Apr
StonechatSaxicola rubicolaResidentCommon12–13 cmRecorded all year · 1.20% in Apr
Great CormorantPhalacrocorax carboResidentCommon80–100 cmRecorded all year · 1.19% in Apr
Eurasian Collared DoveStreptopelia decaoctoResidentCommon30–32 cmRecorded all year · 1.19% in Apr
Canada GooseBranta canadensisResidentCommon76–110 cmRecorded all year · 1.18% in Apr
Common StarlingSturnus vulgarisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 1.15% in Apr
Eurasian SkylarkAlauda arvensisResidentCommon16–18 cmRecorded all year · 1.07% in Apr
Northern GannetMorus bassanusResidentCommon87–100 cmRecorded all year · 1.07% in Apr
Meadow PipitAnthus pratensisResidentCommon14–15 cmRecorded all year · 1.06% in Apr
Eurasian OystercatcherHaematopus ostralegusResidentCommon40–45 cmRecorded all year · 1.03% in Apr
Common RavenCorvus coraxResidentCommon54–67 cmRecorded all year · 0.93% in Apr
MoorhenGallinula chloropusResidentCommon30–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.90% in Apr
WheatearOenanthe oenantheSummer visitorCommon15–16 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.87% in Apr
FulmarFulmarus glacialisResidentCommon45–50 cmRegularly Nov–Sep · 0.83% in Apr
Sand MartinRiparia ripariaSummer visitorCommon12–14 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.80% in Apr
Rock PipitAnthus petrosusResidentCommon16–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.74% in Apr
Long-tailed TitAegithalos caudatusResidentCommon13–16 cmRecorded all year · 0.71% in Apr
House MartinDelichon urbicumSummer visitorCommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.68% in Apr
WhitethroatCurruca communisSummer visitorCommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.64% in Apr
Rock DoveColumba liviaResidentCommon29–37 cmRecorded all year · 0.63% in Apr
WhimbrelNumenius phaeopusSummer visitorCommon40–46 cmRegularly Dec–Oct · 0.62% in Apr
KestrelFalco tinnunculusResidentCommon32–39 cmRecorded all year · 0.62% in Apr
Mute SwanCygnus olorResidentCommon140–160 cmRecorded all year · 0.60% in Apr
Little EgretEgretta garzettaResidentCommon55–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.58% in Apr
Grey HeronArdea cinereaResidentCommon90–98 cmRecorded all year · 0.58% in Apr
Common ShelduckTadorna tadornaResidentCommon58–67 cmRecorded all year · 0.56% in Apr
GoldcrestRegulus regulusResidentCommon9–10 cmRecorded all year · 0.54% in Apr
Manx ShearwaterPuffinus puffinusSummer visitorCommon30–38 cmRegularly Mar–Jan · 0.49% in Apr
CootFulica atraResidentUncommon36–42 cmRecorded all year · 0.46% in Apr
Coal TitPeriparus aterResidentCommon10–12 cmRecorded all year · 0.45% in Apr
Sandwich TernThalasseus sandvicensisSummer visitorCommon36–41 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.45% in Apr
RazorbillAlca tordaResidentCommon38–43 cmRecorded all year · 0.43% in Apr
Great Spotted WoodpeckerDendrocopos majorResidentCommon23–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.38% in Apr
Red-billed ChoughPyrrhocorax pyrrhocoraxResidentCommon39–43 cmRecorded all year · 0.37% in Apr
SparrowhawkAccipiter nisusResidentCommon28–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.37% in Apr
Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundusResidentCommon38–44 cmRecorded all year · 0.36% in Apr
Sedge WarblerAcrocephalus schoenobaenusSummer visitorCommon12–13 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.35% in Apr
Eurasian TealAnas creccaWinter visitorCommon34–38 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.35% in Apr
Cetti's WarblerCettia cettiResidentUncommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.33% in Apr
Ruddy TurnstoneArenaria interpresWinter visitorCommon21–24 cmRecorded all year · 0.33% in Apr
KittiwakeRissa tridactylaResidentCommon37–41 cmRecorded all year · 0.32% in Apr
CurlewNumenius arquataResidentCommon50–60 cmRecorded all year · 0.30% in Apr
Eurasian JayGarrulus glandariusResidentCommon32–35 cmRecorded all year · 0.30% in Apr
GadwallMareca streperaResidentUncommon46–56 cmRecorded all year · 0.29% in Apr
Common LoonGavia immerWinter visitorCommon66–91 cmRegularly Oct–Jun · 0.29% in Apr
Stock DoveColumba oenasResidentUncommon32–34 cmRecorded all year · 0.29% in Apr
Tufted DuckAythya fuligulaWinter visitorUncommon40–47 cmRecorded all year · 0.28% in Apr
Eurasian NuthatchSitta europaeaResidentUncommon12–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.26% in Apr
Great Crested GrebePodiceps cristatusResidentUncommon46–51 cmRecorded all year · 0.26% in Apr
BullfinchPyrrhula pyrrhulaResidentUncommon15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.23% in Apr
Common Reed-warblerAcrocephalus scirpaceusSummer visitorUncommon13–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.23% in Apr
GreenshankTringa nebulariaWinter visitorCommon30–35 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.22% in Apr
Little GrebeTachybaptus ruficollisResidentCommon23–29 cmRecorded all year · 0.22% in Apr
Eurasian SiskinSpinus spinusSummer visitorCommon11–13 cmRecorded all year · 0.20% in Apr
Common SandpiperActitis hypoleucosWinter visitorCommon18–20 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.19% in Apr
European Green WoodpeckerPicus viridisResidentUncommon30–36 cmRecorded all year · 0.18% in Apr
Common GullLarus canusWinter visitorCommon40–46 cmRecorded all year · 0.18% in Apr
Grey WagtailMotacilla cinereaWinter visitorCommon17–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.17% in Apr
Red-legged PartridgeAlectoris rufaResidentUncommon32–34 cmRecorded all year · 0.16% in Apr
Ringed PloverCharadrius hiaticulaWinter visitorCommon17–19 cmRecorded all year · 0.16% in Apr
Grasshopper WarblerLocustella naeviaSummer visitorUncommon12–13 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.16% in Apr
Bar-tailed GodwitLimosa lapponicaWinter visitorUncommon37–41 cmRecorded all year · 0.15% in Apr
Reed BuntingEmberiza schoeniclusResidentUncommon14–16 cmRecorded all year · 0.15% in Apr
CuckooCuculus canorusSummer visitorCommon32–34 cmRegularly Apr–Jul · 0.14% in Apr
RedshankTringa totanusWinter visitorCommon27–29 cmRegularly Jun–Apr · 0.14% in Apr
Mediterranean GullIchthyaetus melanocephalusWinter visitorCommon37–40 cmRegularly Jun–Apr · 0.14% in Apr
Mistle ThrushTurdus viscivorusResidentUncommon26–29 cmRecorded all year · 0.14% in Apr
Red KiteMilvus milvusPassage migrantUncommon60–66 cmRegularly Mar–Jun · 0.14% in Apr
Ring OuzelTurdus torquatusPassage migrantUncommon23–24 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.14% in Apr
Common SnipeGallinago gallinagoWinter visitorCommon25–27 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.13% in Apr
Yellow WagtailMotacilla flavaPassage migrantUncommon15–17 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.13% in Apr
Common SwiftApus apusSummer visitorCommon16–17 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 0.12% in Apr
FirecrestRegulus ignicapillaWinter visitorCommon9–10 cmRecorded all year · 0.12% in Apr
Black-tailed GodwitLimosa limosaResidentUncommon40–44 cmRecorded all year · 0.12% in Apr
Tree PipitAnthus trivialisPassage migrantUncommon14–16 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.12% in Apr
Woodchat ShrikeLanius senatorPassage migrantUncommon17–19 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.12% in Apr
Cattle EgretArdea ibisWinter visitorUncommon46–56 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.11% in Apr
DunlinCalidris alpinaWinter visitorCommon16–22 cmRecorded all year · 0.11% in Apr
Northern ShovelerSpatula clypeataWinter visitorUncommon44–51 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.11% in Apr
MerlinFalco columbariusWinter visitorUncommon24–33 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.10% in Apr
SanderlingCalidris albaWinter visitorUncommon18–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.09% in Apr
Western Marsh-harrierCircus aeruginosusSummer visitorUncommon48–56 cmRegularly Jan–Nov · 0.08% in Apr
Eurasian WigeonMareca penelopeWinter visitorCommon42–51 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.08% in Apr
PochardAythya ferinaWinter visitorUncommon42–49 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in Apr
Atlantic PuffinFratercula arcticaSummer visitorUncommon28–34 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.08% in Apr
EiderSomateria mollissimaWinter visitorUncommon50–71 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in Apr
Tawny OwlStrix alucoResidentUncommon37–43 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in Apr
Purple SandpiperCalidris maritimaWinter visitorUncommon20–22 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.07% in Apr
Arctic LoonGavia arcticaWinter visitorUncommon58–77 cmRegularly Nov–May · 0.07% in Apr
Iceland GullLarus glaucoidesWinter visitorUncommon52–60 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.07% in Apr
Great White EgretArdea albaPassage migrantUncommon80–104 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.06% in Apr
Green SandpiperTringa ochropusWinter visitorUncommon21–24 cmRegularly Jun–Apr · 0.06% in Apr
Garden WarblerSylvia borinSummer visitorUncommon14–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.06% in Apr
Greylag GooseAnser anserResidentUncommon75–90 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in Apr
Common RedstartPhoenicurus phoenicurusSummer visitorUncommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.06% in Apr
YellowhammerEmberiza citrinellaResidentUncommon16–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in Apr
Golden PloverPluvialis apricariaWinter visitorUncommon26–29 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.05% in Apr
RuffCalidris pugnaxWinter visitorUncommon20–32 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.05% in Apr
HoopoeUpupa epopsPassage migrantRare25–32 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.05% in Apr
Black RedstartPhoenicurus ochrurosWinter visitorCommon13–15 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.05% in Apr
Great SkuaStercorarius skuaWinter visitorCommon50–58 cmRegularly Jun–Apr · 0.04% in Apr
Common ScoterMelanitta nigraWinter visitorUncommon43–54 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Apr
Purple HeronArdea purpureaPassage migrantRare78–90 cmRegularly Apr–May · 0.04% in Apr
TreecreeperCerthia familiarisResidentUncommon12–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Apr
Red-throated LoonGavia stellataWinter visitorUncommon53–69 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.04% in Apr
Short-eared OwlAsio flammeusWinter visitorRare34–43 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.04% in Apr
Water RailRallus aquaticusWinter visitorCommon23–28 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.04% in Apr
European Pied FlycatcherFicedula hypoleucaPassage migrantUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.04% in Apr
Marsh TitPoecile palustrisResidentUncommon12–13 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Apr
WhinchatSaxicola rubetraPassage migrantUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.04% in Apr
Common MerganserMergus merganserWinter visitorUncommon58–68 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.04% in Apr
Eurasian SpoonbillPlatalea leucorodiaWinter visitorUncommon80–90 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.04% in Apr
Common TernSterna hirundoPassage migrantUncommon31–35 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.03% in Apr
DipperCinclus cinclusResidentUncommon17–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Apr
GarganeySpatula querquedulaPassage migrantUncommon37–41 cmRegularly Mar–Sep · 0.03% in Apr
Northern PintailAnas acutaWinter visitorUncommon59–76 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.03% in Apr
Grey PloverPluvialis squatarolaWinter visitorUncommon27–30 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.03% in Apr
Glaucous GullLarus hyperboreusPassage migrantUncommon62–68 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.03% in Apr
HobbyFalco subbuteoSummer visitorUncommon28–35 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.03% in Apr
Lesser WhitethroatCurruca currucaPassage migrantUncommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.03% in Apr
European Turtle-doveStreptopelia turturSummer visitorUncommon26–28 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.03% in Apr
Pink-footed GooseAnser brachyrhynchusPassage migrantUncommon60–75 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.03% in Apr
Common KingfisherAlcedo atthisWinter visitorUncommon16–17 cmRegularly Jun–Apr · 0.03% in Apr
Golden OrioleOriolus oriolusPassage migrantRare22–24 cmRegularly Apr–Jun · 0.03% in Apr
OspreyPandion haliaetusPassage migrantUncommon54–58 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.02% in Apr
Yellow-legged GullLarus michahellisResidentUncommon52–68 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Apr
Barnacle GooseBranta leucopsisPassage migrantUncommon58–70 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 0.02% in Apr
Little Ringed PloverThinornis dubiusPassage migrantRare14–17 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.02% in Apr
SerinSerinus serinusPassage migrantRare11–12 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.02% in Apr
Water PipitAnthus spinolettaWinter visitorUncommon15–17 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.02% in Apr
BramblingFringilla montifringillaPassage migrantUncommon14–16 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.01% in Apr
Hooded CrowCorvus cornixPassage migrantRare44–51 cmRegularly Apr–May · 0.01% in Apr
Whooper SwanCygnus cygnusWinter visitorUncommon140–165 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.01% in Apr
Barn OwlTyto albaResidentUncommon33–39 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Apr
Lady Amherst's PheasantChrysolophus amherstiaeScarceRare100–120 cmRegularly Apr · 0.01% in Apr
Wood WarblerPhylloscopus sibilatrixPassage migrantRare11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.01% in Apr
WryneckJynx torquillaPassage migrantUncommon16–18 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.01% in Apr
Cirl BuntingEmberiza cirlusRecords withheldRare15–17 cmRegularly Apr–Jul · records held back in Apr (protected)
Greater White-fronted GooseAnser albifronsPassage migrantRare64–81 cmRegularly Dec–Apr · 0.01% in Apr
Short-toed LarkCalandrella brachydactylaPassage migrantUncommon14–17 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.01% in Apr
Golden PheasantChrysolophus pictusPassage migrantRare90–105 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.01% in Apr
Muscovy DuckCairina moschataResidentRare66–84 cmRegularly Nov–Sep · 0.01% in Apr
Common RedpollAcanthis flammeaSummer visitorUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Feb–Dec · 0.01% in Apr
Red KnotCalidris canutusWinter visitorUncommon23–26 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.01% in Apr
Black GuillemotCepphus gryllePassage migrantUncommon30–32 cmRegularly Jan–May · 0.01% in Apr
DotterelEudromias morinellusPassage migrantRare20–22 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.01% in Apr
Corn BuntingEmberiza calandraResidentRare16–19 cmRegularly Jan–Oct · 0.01% in Apr
Little TernSternula albifronsPassage migrantRare21–25 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.01% in Apr
HawfinchCoccothraustes coccothraustesPassage migrantRare17–18 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.00% in Apr
Data: EOD – eBird Observation Dataset (Cornell Lab of Ornithology), accessed via GBIF.org, CC BY 4.0. Records from 2019–2024, aggregated and filtered by Birdfact. How these lists are made