Birds in Cornwall
Explore 223 species found in this region.
Cornwall's dramatic coastline, sheltered estuaries, and windswept moorlands provide habitat for an impressive diversity of birdlife, with 213 species recorded across the county. From elegant waders such as the Northern Lapwing and Dotterel to colourful residents like the Great Tit and Magpie, the region offers outstanding birding opportunities year-round. Cornwall's position as Britain's south-westernmost county also makes it a renowned hotspot for rare migrants and overwintering wildfowl, including species such as the Common Shelduck, Northern Pintail, and Mandarin Duck.
Visiting in April? Look out for Common Redstart and Common Reed-warbler arriving this month, and Common Kingfisher and Common Merganser depart for the season.
Showing 24–46 of 223 species
Booted Eagle
Hieraaetus pennatusLC
An exceptional vagrant to Cornwall, with rare midwinter records. A remarkable find for any Cornish birder.
Jan
Brambling
Fringilla montifringillaLC
A rare autumn passage migrant, arriving from Scandinavia in October and November. Occasionally joins finch flocks in farmland hedgerows.
Oct–Nov
Brent Goose
Branta berniclaLC
A rare non-breeding visitor to Cornish estuaries from autumn through winter. The Camel and Fal estuaries are favoured sites.
Sep–Feb
Buff-breasted Sandpiper
Calidris subruficollisVU
A rare Nearctic vagrant favouring short-grass fields and airfields, Cornwall's westerly position makes it a prime landfall site in autumn.
Sep–Oct
Bullfinch
Pyrrhula pyrrhulaLC
An uncommon but year-round resident, favouring dense hedgerows, orchards, and woodland edges. Often heard before seen.
Year-round
Buzzard
Buteo buteoLC
A common year-round resident, frequently seen soaring over farmland, moorland and coastal cliffs. One of Cornwall's most visible raptors.
Year-round
Canada Goose
Branta canadensisLC
An uncommon year-round resident found on lakes, reservoirs and estuaries. Less numerous here than in many English counties.
Year-round
Carrion Crow
Corvus coroneLC
A common year-round resident found across all habitats from farmland to coastline. One of Cornwall's most familiar and adaptable birds.
Year-round
Spotted something?
Upload a photo to identify it
Identify
Cattle Egret
Bubulcus ibisLC
A rare but increasingly regular non-breeding visitor, often associating with livestock on Cornish farmland, mainly autumn to spring.
Aug–Apr
Cetti's Warbler
Cettia cettiLC
A resident skulker in dense wetland vegetation, more often heard than seen. Has expanded its range in Cornwall thanks to milder winters.
Year-round
Chaffinch
Fringilla coelebsLC
A common resident of woodland, hedgerows, and gardens. Autumn flocks are boosted by continental migrants arriving along the coast.
Year-round
Chiffchaff
Phylloscopus collybitaLC
A common resident found year-round in gardens, woodland, and scrub. Cornwall's mild climate supports overwintering birds, including continental migrants.
Year-round
Coal Tit
Periparus aterLC
An uncommon resident of coniferous and mixed woodland. Often visits garden feeders in winter, recognised by its distinctive white nape stripe.
Year-round
Common Gull
Larus canusLC
An uncommon resident found year-round on estuaries, farmland, and playing fields. Smaller and more delicate than the abundant Herring Gull.
Year-round
Common Kingfisher
Alcedo atthisLC
An uncommon resident along sheltered creeks, estuaries and rivers. Most reliably seen on the Helford, Fal and Camel estuaries.
Jun–Mar
Common Loon
Gavia immerLC
An uncommon but regular presence in Cornish waters, favouring sheltered bays such as Mount's Bay. Absent during midsummer months.
Oct–Jun
Common Merganser
Mergus merganserLC
A rare winter visitor to Cornish rivers and estuaries, more typical of freshwater habitats further east and north in Britain.
Nov–Mar
Common Pheasant
Phasianus colchicusLC
Found year-round in farmland and woodland edges, though less abundant here than in many English counties.
Year-round
Common Raven
Corvus coraxLC
An uncommon but widespread resident, often seen tumbling acrobatically along sea cliffs and over moorland. Its deep croaking call is distinctive.
Year-round
Common Redpoll
Acanthis flammeaLC
A rare resident, occasionally seen in birch and alder woodland. Most likely encountered during autumn and winter influxes.
Oct–Jun
Common Redstart
Phoenicurus phoenicurusLC
A rare breeding visitor to mature oak woodland, arriving in April. More often noted on passage at coastal sites in autumn.
Apr–Oct
Common Reed-warbler
Acrocephalus scirpaceusLC
An uncommon summer breeder in reedbeds from April to October. Found at sites like Marazion Marsh and the Hayle Estuary RSPB reserve.
Apr–Oct
Common Rosefinch
Carpodacus erythrinusLC
A rare autumn vagrant, occasionally turning up at coastal migrant hotspots like the Isles of Scilly and Penwith headlands during October.
Oct