Birds to See in Cornwall in October
197 bird species on our list for Cornwall are recorded regularly in October
Of these, the most often recorded are European Herring Gull, European Robin, Eurasian Wren, Carrion Crow and Woodpigeon. New this month: Redwing, Common Loon, Fieldfare and Black Redstart and 21 more.
On the move in October
GBIF · OctArriving
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 197 birds in October
197 birds
European Herring GullLarus argentatusResidentCommon55–67 cmRecorded all year · 3.14% in Oct
European RobinErithacus rubeculaResidentCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 2.93% in Oct
Eurasian WrenTroglodytes troglodytesResidentCommon9–10 cmRecorded all year · 2.60% in Oct
Carrion CrowCorvus coroneResidentCommon45–47 cmRecorded all year · 2.59% in Oct
WoodpigeonColumba palumbusResidentCommon40–42 cmRecorded all year · 2.51% in Oct
BlackbirdTurdus merulaResidentCommon24–25 cmRecorded all year · 2.44% in Oct
Meadow PipitAnthus pratensisResidentCommon14–15 cmRecorded all year · 2.34% in Oct
Common StarlingSturnus vulgarisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 2.09% in Oct
DunnockPrunella modularisResidentCommon14–15 cmRecorded all year · 2.04% in Oct
House SparrowPasser domesticusResidentCommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 1.97% in Oct
Great Black-backed GullLarus marinusResidentCommon64–79 cmRecorded all year · 1.96% in Oct
ChiffchaffPhylloscopus collybitaResidentCommon10–12 cmRecorded all year · 1.89% in Oct
ChaffinchFringilla coelebsResidentCommon14–16 cmRecorded all year · 1.85% in Oct
Pied WagtailMotacilla albaResidentCommon17–19 cmRecorded all year · 1.76% in Oct
Song ThrushTurdus philomelosResidentCommon20–23 cmRecorded all year · 1.75% in Oct
European ShagGulosus aristotelisResidentCommon65–80 cmRecorded all year · 1.73% in Oct
Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundusResidentCommon38–44 cmRecorded all year · 1.73% in Oct
Great TitParus majorResidentCommonRecorded all year · 1.73% in Oct
European GoldfinchCarduelis carduelisResidentCommon12–13 cmRecorded all year · 1.72% in Oct
StonechatSaxicola rubicolaResidentCommon12–13 cmRecorded all year · 1.72% in Oct
Eurasian OystercatcherHaematopus ostralegusResidentCommon40–45 cmRecorded all year · 1.66% in Oct
Blue TitCyanistes caeruleusResidentCommon11–12 cmRecorded all year · 1.65% in Oct
GoldcrestRegulus regulusResidentCommon9–10 cmRecorded all year · 1.63% in Oct
Northern GannetMorus bassanusResidentCommon87–100 cmRecorded all year · 1.61% in Oct
Eurasian Collared DoveStreptopelia decaoctoResidentCommon30–32 cmRecorded all year · 1.42% in Oct
Grey HeronArdea cinereaResidentCommon90–98 cmRecorded all year · 1.42% in Oct
Rock PipitAnthus petrosusResidentCommon16–18 cmRecorded all year · 1.36% in Oct
JackdawColoeus monedulaResidentCommon34–39 cmRecorded all year · 1.31% in Oct
LinnetLinaria cannabinaSummer visitorCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 1.25% in Oct
Grey WagtailMotacilla cinereaWinter visitorCommon17–20 cmRecorded all year · 1.20% in Oct
KestrelFalco tinnunculusResidentCommon32–39 cmRecorded all year · 1.18% in Oct
MagpiePica picaResidentCommon44–46 cmRecorded all year · 1.09% in Oct
Great CormorantPhalacrocorax carboResidentCommon80–100 cmRecorded all year · 1.08% in Oct
MallardAnas platyrhynchosResidentCommon50–65 cmRecorded all year · 1.07% in Oct
CurlewNumenius arquataResidentCommon50–60 cmRecorded all year · 1.05% in Oct
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscusResidentCommon52–64 cmRecorded all year · 1.02% in Oct
Little EgretEgretta garzettaResidentCommon55–65 cmRecorded all year · 1.01% in Oct
RedwingTurdus iliacusWinter visitorCommon20–24 cmRegularly Oct–Mar · 0.95% in Oct
Eurasian SkylarkAlauda arvensisResidentCommon16–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.94% in Oct
Ruddy TurnstoneArenaria interpresWinter visitorCommon21–24 cmRecorded all year · 0.93% in Oct
GreenfinchChloris chlorisResidentCommon15–16 cmRecorded all year · 0.92% in Oct
MoorhenGallinula chloropusResidentCommon30–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.92% in Oct
GreenshankTringa nebulariaWinter visitorCommon30–35 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.89% in Oct
Barn SwallowHirundo rusticaSummer visitorCommon17–19 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.88% in Oct
Mediterranean GullIchthyaetus melanocephalusWinter visitorCommon37–40 cmRegularly Jun–Apr · 0.83% in Oct
RookCorvus frugilegusResidentCommon45–47 cmRecorded all year · 0.80% in Oct
Eurasian SiskinSpinus spinusSummer visitorCommon11–13 cmRecorded all year · 0.76% in Oct
SparrowhawkAccipiter nisusResidentCommon28–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.71% in Oct
BuzzardButeo buteoResidentCommon51–57 cmRecorded all year · 0.69% in Oct
Common SnipeGallinago gallinagoWinter visitorCommon25–27 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.68% in Oct
BlackcapSylvia atricapillaResidentCommon13–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.67% in Oct
Common PheasantPhasianus colchicusResidentCommon50–90 cmRecorded all year · 0.66% in Oct
Rock DoveColumba liviaResidentCommon29–37 cmRecorded all year · 0.64% in Oct
Yellow-browed WarblerPhylloscopus inornatusPassage migrantCommon10–11 cmRegularly Sep–Jan · 0.63% in Oct
Common RavenCorvus coraxResidentCommon54–67 cmRecorded all year · 0.62% in Oct
Water RailRallus aquaticusWinter visitorCommon23–28 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.59% in Oct
Eurasian TealAnas creccaWinter visitorCommon34–38 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.58% in Oct
WheatearOenanthe oenantheSummer visitorCommon15–16 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.57% in Oct
Ringed PloverCharadrius hiaticulaWinter visitorCommon17–19 cmRecorded all year · 0.56% in Oct
FirecrestRegulus ignicapillaWinter visitorCommon9–10 cmRecorded all year · 0.54% in Oct
Black RedstartPhoenicurus ochrurosWinter visitorCommon13–15 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.53% in Oct
KittiwakeRissa tridactylaResidentCommon37–41 cmRecorded all year · 0.51% in Oct
RedshankTringa totanusWinter visitorCommon27–29 cmRegularly Jun–Apr · 0.44% in Oct
Mute SwanCygnus olorResidentCommon140–160 cmRecorded all year · 0.42% in Oct
Long-tailed TitAegithalos caudatusResidentCommon13–16 cmRecorded all year · 0.41% in Oct
Red-billed ChoughPyrrhocorax pyrrhocoraxResidentCommon39–43 cmRecorded all year · 0.39% in Oct
Great Spotted WoodpeckerDendrocopos majorResidentCommon23–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.35% in Oct
Golden PloverPluvialis apricariaWinter visitorUncommon26–29 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.35% in Oct
Peregrine FalconFalco peregrinusWinter visitorUncommon34–58 cmRegularly Aug–Mar · 0.34% in Oct
Canada GooseBranta canadensisResidentCommon76–110 cmRecorded all year · 0.32% in Oct
Bar-tailed GodwitLimosa lapponicaWinter visitorUncommon37–41 cmRecorded all year · 0.32% in Oct
Eurasian WigeonMareca penelopeWinter visitorCommon42–51 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.31% in Oct
FieldfareTurdus pilarisWinter visitorCommon22–27 cmRegularly Oct–Mar · 0.31% in Oct
Cetti's WarblerCettia cettiResidentUncommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.31% in Oct
Manx ShearwaterPuffinus puffinusSummer visitorCommon30–38 cmRegularly Mar–Jan · 0.31% in Oct
CootFulica atraResidentUncommon36–42 cmRecorded all year · 0.31% in Oct
DunlinCalidris alpinaWinter visitorCommon16–22 cmRecorded all year · 0.30% in Oct
Common KingfisherAlcedo atthisWinter visitorUncommon16–17 cmRegularly Jun–Apr · 0.30% in Oct
Eurasian JayGarrulus glandariusResidentCommon32–35 cmRecorded all year · 0.29% in Oct
MerlinFalco columbariusWinter visitorUncommon24–33 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.29% in Oct
RazorbillAlca tordaResidentCommon38–43 cmRecorded all year · 0.28% in Oct
SanderlingCalidris albaWinter visitorUncommon18–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.26% in Oct
GadwallMareca streperaResidentUncommon46–56 cmRecorded all year · 0.25% in Oct
Sandwich TernThalasseus sandvicensisSummer visitorCommon36–41 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.25% in Oct
WhinchatSaxicola rubetraPassage migrantUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.23% in Oct
Stock DoveColumba oenasResidentUncommon32–34 cmRecorded all year · 0.22% in Oct
Little GrebeTachybaptus ruficollisResidentCommon23–29 cmRecorded all year · 0.22% in Oct
Sooty ShearwaterArdenna griseaPassage migrantCommon40–51 cmRegularly Jun–Nov · 0.21% in Oct
Great ShearwaterArdenna gravisPassage migrantCommon43–51 cmRegularly Jul–Nov · 0.21% in Oct
Pink-footed GooseAnser brachyrhynchusPassage migrantUncommon60–75 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.20% in Oct
Common GullLarus canusWinter visitorCommon40–46 cmRecorded all year · 0.19% in Oct
Spotted FlycatcherMuscicapa striataSummer visitorUncommon14–16 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.19% in Oct
Willow WarblerPhylloscopus trochilusSummer visitorCommon11–13 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.18% in Oct
Coal TitPeriparus aterResidentCommon10–12 cmRecorded all year · 0.17% in Oct
Jack SnipeLymnocryptes minimusWinter visitorUncommon17–19 cmRegularly Sep–Mar · 0.17% in Oct
Great White EgretArdea albaPassage migrantUncommon80–104 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.16% in Oct
WhimbrelNumenius phaeopusSummer visitorCommon40–46 cmRegularly Dec–Oct · 0.16% in Oct
Great SkuaStercorarius skuaWinter visitorCommon50–58 cmRegularly Jun–Apr · 0.15% in Oct
Northern LapwingVanellus vanellusWinter visitorCommon28–31 cmRegularly Aug–Mar · 0.15% in Oct
House MartinDelichon urbicumSummer visitorCommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.15% in Oct
Balearic ShearwaterPuffinus mauretanicusPassage migrantCommon35–40 cmRegularly Jun–Nov · 0.15% in Oct
European Pied FlycatcherFicedula hypoleucaPassage migrantUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.14% in Oct
BramblingFringilla montifringillaPassage migrantUncommon14–16 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.14% in Oct
Common LoonGavia immerWinter visitorCommon66–91 cmRegularly Oct–Jun · 0.14% in Oct
BullfinchPyrrhula pyrrhulaResidentUncommon15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.14% in Oct
Black-tailed GodwitLimosa limosaResidentUncommon40–44 cmRecorded all year · 0.14% in Oct
Common ShelduckTadorna tadornaResidentCommon58–67 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in Oct
Ring OuzelTurdus torquatusPassage migrantUncommon23–24 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.13% in Oct
Arctic JaegerStercorarius parasiticusPassage migrantCommon41–46 cmRegularly Jun–Nov · 0.13% in Oct
WryneckJynx torquillaPassage migrantUncommon16–18 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.12% in Oct
Common ScoterMelanitta nigraWinter visitorUncommon43–54 cmRecorded all year · 0.11% in Oct
Whooper SwanCygnus cygnusWinter visitorUncommon140–165 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.11% in Oct
Common Reed-warblerAcrocephalus scirpaceusSummer visitorUncommon13–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.11% in Oct
Snow BuntingPlectrophenax nivalisPassage migrantUncommon15–18 cmRegularly Oct–Mar · 0.11% in Oct
Grey PloverPluvialis squatarolaWinter visitorUncommon27–30 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.10% in Oct
Red-legged PartridgeAlectoris rufaResidentUncommon32–34 cmRecorded all year · 0.10% in Oct
Eurasian SpoonbillPlatalea leucorodiaWinter visitorUncommon80–90 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.10% in Oct
Reed BuntingEmberiza schoeniclusResidentUncommon14–16 cmRecorded all year · 0.10% in Oct
Tufted DuckAythya fuligulaWinter visitorUncommon40–47 cmRecorded all year · 0.09% in Oct
Cattle EgretArdea ibisWinter visitorUncommon46–56 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.09% in Oct
Common SandpiperActitis hypoleucosWinter visitorCommon18–20 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.09% in Oct
Red-backed ShrikeLanius collurioPassage migrantUncommon16–18 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.09% in Oct
Atlantic PuffinFratercula arcticaSummer visitorUncommon28–34 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.08% in Oct
Brent GooseBranta berniclaWinter visitorUncommon55–66 cmRegularly Sep–Mar · 0.08% in Oct
PochardAythya ferinaWinter visitorUncommon42–49 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in Oct
Greylag GooseAnser anserResidentUncommon75–90 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in Oct
Northern ShovelerSpatula clypeataWinter visitorUncommon44–51 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.08% in Oct
Great Crested GrebePodiceps cristatusResidentUncommon46–51 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in Oct
Yellow WagtailMotacilla flavaPassage migrantUncommon15–17 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.07% in Oct
European Green WoodpeckerPicus viridisResidentUncommon30–36 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in Oct
Short-toed LarkCalandrella brachydactylaPassage migrantUncommon14–17 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.07% in Oct
Western Marsh-harrierCircus aeruginosusSummer visitorUncommon48–56 cmRegularly Jan–Nov · 0.07% in Oct
Common RosefinchCarpodacus erythrinusPassage migrantUncommon13–15 cmRegularly Sep–Oct · 0.07% in Oct
Lesser YellowlegsTringa flavipesResidentUncommon23–27 cmRegularly Oct · 0.07% in Oct
Tawny OwlStrix alucoResidentUncommon37–43 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in Oct
Lapland LongspurCalcarius lapponicusPassage migrantUncommon15–16 cmRegularly Sep–Jan · 0.07% in Oct
Common RedstartPhoenicurus phoenicurusSummer visitorUncommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.06% in Oct
OspreyPandion haliaetusPassage migrantUncommon54–58 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.06% in Oct
Glossy IbisPlegadis falcinellusResidentUncommon48–66 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.06% in Oct
Northern PintailAnas acutaWinter visitorUncommon59–76 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.06% in Oct
Yellow-legged GullLarus michahellisResidentUncommon52–68 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in Oct
Lesser WhitethroatCurruca currucaPassage migrantUncommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.06% in Oct
Grey PhalaropePhalaropus fulicariusPassage migrantUncommon20–22 cmRegularly Aug–Dec · 0.06% in Oct
Spotted RedshankTringa erythropusWinter visitorUncommon29–31 cmRegularly Aug–Mar · 0.06% in Oct
Barnacle GooseBranta leucopsisPassage migrantUncommon58–70 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 0.06% in Oct
Green SandpiperTringa ochropusWinter visitorUncommon21–24 cmRegularly Jun–Apr · 0.05% in Oct
Curlew SandpiperCalidris ferrugineaPassage migrantUncommon18–23 cmRegularly Aug–Dec · 0.05% in Oct
Red CrossbillLoxia curvirostraResidentUncommon15–17 cmRegularly May–Nov · 0.05% in Oct
DotterelEudromias morinellusPassage migrantRare20–22 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.05% in Oct
Mistle ThrushTurdus viscivorusResidentUncommon26–29 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in Oct
Eurasian NuthatchSitta europaeaResidentUncommon12–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in Oct
RuffCalidris pugnaxWinter visitorUncommon20–32 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.05% in Oct
Common RedpollAcanthis flammeaSummer visitorUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Feb–Dec · 0.04% in Oct
Sand MartinRiparia ripariaSummer visitorCommon12–14 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.04% in Oct
EiderSomateria mollissimaWinter visitorUncommon50–71 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Oct
Arctic TernSterna paradisaeaPassage migrantUncommon33–39 cmRegularly Jul–Oct · 0.04% in Oct
HoopoeUpupa epopsPassage migrantRare25–32 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.04% in Oct
Short-eared OwlAsio flammeusWinter visitorRare34–43 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.04% in Oct
Pomarine JaegerStercorarius pomarinusSummer visitorUncommon46–51 cmRegularly May–Feb · 0.04% in Oct
Pectoral SandpiperCalidris melanotosPassage migrantUncommon19–23 cmRegularly Sep–Oct · 0.03% in Oct
Barn OwlTyto albaResidentUncommon33–39 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Oct
Buff-breasted SandpiperCalidris subruficollisPassage migrantUncommon18–20 cmRegularly Sep–Oct · 0.03% in Oct
HawfinchCoccothraustes coccothraustesPassage migrantRare17–18 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.03% in Oct
Red-throated LoonGavia stellataWinter visitorUncommon53–69 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.03% in Oct
Tree PipitAnthus trivialisPassage migrantUncommon14–16 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.03% in Oct
WoodlarkLullula arboreaResidentRare15–17 cmRegularly Oct–Nov · 0.03% in Oct
Spotted CrakePorzana porzanaPassage migrantRare19–23 cmRegularly Sep–Oct · 0.03% in Oct
Red-breasted MerganserMergus serratorWinter visitorUncommon52–58 cmRegularly Oct–Mar · 0.03% in Oct
Woodchat ShrikeLanius senatorPassage migrantUncommon17–19 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.03% in Oct
Red KnotCalidris canutusWinter visitorUncommon23–26 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.02% in Oct
Common TernSterna hirundoPassage migrantUncommon31–35 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.02% in Oct
Mandarin DuckAix galericulataWinter visitorRare41–49 cmRegularly Jun–Mar · 0.02% in Oct
Leach's Storm-petrelHydrobates leucorhousPassage migrantRare18–21 cmRegularly Sep–Nov · 0.02% in Oct
American Golden-PloverPluvialis dominicaPassage migrantRare24–28 cmRegularly Sep–Nov · 0.02% in Oct
Eurasian WoodcockScolopax rusticolaWinter visitorUncommon33–38 cmRegularly Oct–Mar · 0.02% in Oct
European Turtle-doveStreptopelia turturSummer visitorUncommon26–28 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.02% in Oct
Purple SandpiperCalidris maritimaWinter visitorUncommon20–22 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.02% in Oct
Garden WarblerSylvia borinSummer visitorUncommon14–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.02% in Oct
Sabine's GullXema sabiniPassage migrantUncommon27–33 cmRegularly Aug–Oct · 0.02% in Oct
Hen HarrierCircus cyaneusPassage migrantRare41–52 cmRegularly Oct–Jan · 0.02% in Oct
NightingaleLuscinia megarhynchosPassage migrantRare15–17 cmRegularly Sep–Oct · 0.02% in Oct
Little TernSternula albifronsPassage migrantRare21–25 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.02% in Oct
YellowhammerEmberiza citrinellaResidentUncommon16–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Oct
Little GullHydrocoloeus minutusWinter visitorUncommon25–30 cmRegularly Aug–Feb · 0.02% in Oct
Long-tailed DuckClangula hyemalisPassage migrantRare37–60 cmRegularly Oct–Jan · 0.01% in Oct
Golden PheasantChrysolophus pictusPassage migrantRare90–105 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.01% in Oct
Greater ScaupAythya marilaWinter visitorUncommon39–56 cmRegularly Oct–Mar · 0.01% in Oct
Water PipitAnthus spinolettaWinter visitorUncommon15–17 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.01% in Oct
HobbyFalco subbuteoSummer visitorUncommon28–35 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.01% in Oct
BluethroatLuscinia svecicaPassage migrantRare13–14 cmRegularly Oct · 0.01% in Oct
DipperCinclus cinclusResidentUncommon17–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Oct
Marsh TitPoecile palustrisResidentUncommon12–13 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Oct
TreecreeperCerthia familiarisResidentUncommon12–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Oct
Long-tailed JaegerStercorarius longicaudusPassage migrantUncommon48–58 cmRegularly Jul–Oct · 0.00% in Oct
Willow TitPoecile montanusResidentRare11–12 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.00% in Oct
Bar-headed GooseAnser indicusResidentRare68–78 cmRegularly Oct–Jan · 0.00% in Oct
Corn BuntingEmberiza calandraResidentRare16–19 cmRegularly Jan–Oct · 0.00% in Oct
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