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 70–92 of 223 species
Eurasian Skylark
Alauda arvensisLC
Resident on farmland and coastal clifftops, singing in flight year-round. Numbers have declined but it remains a characteristic voice of open country.
Year-round
Eurasian Spoonbill
Platalea leucorodiaLC
A rare non-breeding visitor to Cornish estuaries, increasingly recorded in recent years. Most likely on the Hayle or Camel estuaries.
Sep–Apr
Eurasian Wigeon
Mareca penelopeLC
Winters on estuaries like the Camel and Fal, with flocks grazing coastal fields. Absent in midsummer, returning from September.
Sep–May
Eurasian Woodcock
Scolopax rusticolaLC
A secretive winter visitor to damp woodland and hedgerows, most likely encountered during cold snaps from October to February.
Oct–Feb
Eurasian Wren
Troglodytes troglodytesLC
A common resident found year-round in hedgerows, coastal scrub, and gardens. Its remarkably loud song echoes along Cornwall's sheltered valleys.
Year-round
European Goldfinch
Carduelis carduelisLC
A familiar year-round resident, commonly seen in gardens, hedgerows, and on seed heads along coastal paths throughout Cornwall.
Year-round
European Green Woodpecker
Picus viridisLC
A scarce resident, favouring parkland and woodland edges. Its loud, laughing call carries across Cornish valleys.
Year-round
European Herring Gull
Larus argentatusLC
An iconic and abundant resident of Cornish towns, harbours, and cliffs. Nests on rooftops and sea cliffs throughout the county.
Year-round
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European Pied Flycatcher
Ficedula hypoleucaLC
A rare passage migrant, mainly seen in autumn at coastal headlands and valleys. The Lizard and Porthgwarra are favoured spots.
May–Oct
European Robin
Erithacus rubeculaLC
A beloved year-round resident, abundant in gardens, hedgerows, and woodland. Sings throughout winter in Cornwall's mild climate.
Year-round
European Shag
Phalacrocorax aristotelisLC
A common resident of rocky coasts and harbours, nesting on sea cliffs. Distinguished from Cormorant by its smaller size and green sheen.
Year-round
European Storm-petrel
Hydrobates pelagicusLC
An uncommon breeder on offshore islands and rocky coasts. Best seen on pelagic trips or during onshore gales from May to November.
May–Nov
European Turtle-dove
Streptopelia turturVU
A rare passage migrant, critically declining across Britain. Occasionally recorded in spring and autumn on coastal scrub.
May–Oct
Fieldfare
Turdus pilarisLC
An uncommon winter visitor from Scandinavia, arriving from October. Flocks forage in hedgerows and fields, often alongside Redwings.
Oct–Mar
Firecrest
Regulus ignicapillaLC
Resident year-round in sheltered woodland and gardens. Cornwall is a stronghold, with numbers boosted by continental arrivals in autumn.
Year-round
Fulmar
Fulmarus glacialisLC
An uncommon resident breeding on dramatic Cornish sea cliffs. Numbers have declined in recent years.
Year-round
Gadwall
Mareca streperaLC
A scarce year-round resident, favouring freshwater lakes and reservoirs. Loe Pool and other sheltered waters are reliable sites.
Year-round
Garden Warbler
Sylvia borinLC
A scarce summer breeder in Cornwall, favouring dense scrubby woodland. More often heard than seen, with a rich warbling song.
Apr–Oct
Garganey
Spatula querquedulaLC
A rare passage migrant in spring and autumn, favouring shallow freshwater pools and marshes during brief stopovers.
Apr–Sep
Glaucous Gull
Larus hyperboreusLC
A rare late-winter visitor, usually a single bird found loafing among Herring Gulls at harbours or landfill sites.
Jan–Mar
Glossy Ibis
Plegadis falcinellusLC
A rare autumn passage visitor, occasionally appearing at freshwater pools and marshes in October.
Oct
Goldcrest
Regulus regulusLC
A tiny resident of coniferous and mixed woodland, present year-round. Numbers swell in autumn with continental immigrants arriving on the coast.
Year-round
Golden Plover
Pluvialis apricariaLC
Winters on ploughed fields and coastal grasslands, sometimes forming mixed flocks with Lapwings from autumn to spring.
Sep–Apr