Birds in Cornwall

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.

Showing 185–207 of 223 species

Ruff

Philomachus pugnaxLC

A rare passage migrant seen mainly in autumn, occasionally lingering on estuarine mudflats and flooded fields.

PassageRarely spotted

Apr–Oct

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

Sabine's Gull

Xema sabiniLC

A rare but prized autumn passage migrant, most often spotted from Cornish headlands during strong westerly gales between August and October.

PassageRarely spotted

Aug–Oct

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

Sand Martin

Riparia ripariaLC

An uncommon summer breeder, nesting in sandy riverbanks and quarry faces. Arrives from March and gathers in flocks before autumn departure.

BreedingUncommonly spotted

Mar–Oct

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

Sanderling

Calidris albaLC

Found year-round on sandy beaches, often seen in small flocks racing along the tideline on Cornwall's north coast.

ResidentRarely spotted

Year-round

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F

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

Sandwich Tern

Thalasseus sandvicensisLC

An uncommon breeding visitor to Cornish coasts from March to October. Its harsh call is a familiar sound at sandy estuaries.

BreedingUncommonly spotted

Mar–Oct

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

Sedge Warbler

Acrocephalus schoenobaenusLC

An uncommon summer breeder from April to September, favouring reedbeds and dense waterside vegetation. Its rapid, chattering song includes mimicry.

BreedingUncommonly spotted

Apr–Sep

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

Short-eared Owl

Asio flammeusLC

A rare autumn passage visitor, occasionally seen over coastal rough grassland and moorland in October and November.

PassageRarely spotted

Oct–Nov

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

A

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O

N

D

Short-toed Lark

Calandrella brachydactylaLC

A rare October passage migrant from southern Europe, typically found on short-cropped coastal turf and ploughed fields near headlands.

PassageRarely spotted

Oct

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

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Snow Bunting

Plectrophenax nivalisLC

A rare autumn passage migrant, occasionally seen on exposed beaches and clifftop fields during October and November.

PassageRarely spotted

Oct–Nov

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

Song Thrush

Turdus philomelosLC

A common resident heard singing from gardens and woodland edges year-round. Often repeats its musical phrases from prominent perches in Cornish hedgerows.

ResidentCommonly spotted

Year-round

J

F

M

A

M

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J

A

S

O

N

D

Sooty Shearwater

Ardenna griseaNT

An uncommon visitor to offshore waters from June to November, best spotted from headlands during seawatches.

ResidentUncommonly spotted

Jun–Nov

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

Sparrowhawk

Accipiter nisusLC

An uncommon but year-round resident, hunting small birds in woodland, hedgerows, and sometimes Cornish gardens.

ResidentUncommonly spotted

Year-round

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

Spotted Crake

Porzana porzanaLC

A secretive autumn passage migrant, rarely glimpsed in reedbeds and marshy margins. Most records come from October.

PassageRarely spotted

Oct

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

Spotted Flycatcher

Muscicapa striataLC

An uncommon and declining summer breeder, arriving in May. Favours woodland edges and churchyards, sallying for insects from exposed perches.

BreedingUncommonly spotted

May–Oct

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A

M

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J

A

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N

D

Spotted Redshank

Tringa erythropusLC

A rare non-breeding visitor to sheltered estuaries, occasionally wintering at favoured sites like the Fal and Hayle estuaries.

Non-breedingRarely spotted

Sep–Mar

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F

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A

M

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J

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N

D

Stock Dove

Columba oenasLC

A year-round resident of farmland and parkland, often overlooked among Woodpigeons. Nests in tree holes and old buildings.

ResidentUncommonly spotted

Year-round

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F

M

A

M

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J

A

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O

N

D

Stonechat

Saxicola torquatusLC

A common resident of gorse-covered clifftops and heathland year-round. Cornwall's mild winters support a strong and stable population.

ResidentCommonly spotted

Year-round

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F

M

A

M

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J

A

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O

N

D

Tawny Owl

Strix alucoLC

A scarce year-round resident of mature woodland. More often heard than seen, calling after dark.

ResidentRarely spotted

Year-round

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

Tree Pipit

Anthus trivialisLC

A rare breeder in scattered woodland clearings, arriving in April and departing by October. More often noted on passage.

BreedingRarely spotted

Apr–Oct

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

A

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O

N

D

Treecreeper

Certhia familiarisLC

A scarce resident, spiralling up tree trunks in mature woodland. Thinly distributed across Cornwall's wooded valleys.

ResidentRarely spotted

Dec–Jun

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

Tufted Duck

Aythya fuligulaLC

An uncommon year-round resident on freshwater lakes and reservoirs. Numbers may increase slightly in winter with visiting birds.

ResidentUncommonly spotted

Year-round

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F

M

A

M

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J

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N

D

Upland Sandpiper

Bartramia longicaudaLC

A rare Nearctic vagrant occasionally turning up on Cornish farmland and airfields in October, typically wind-blown across the Atlantic.

PassageRarely spotted

Oct

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

A

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O

N

D

Water Pipit

Anthus spinolettaLC

A rare winter visitor, favouring watercress beds, reservoir margins, and coastal seepages from November through to March.

Non-breedingRarely spotted

Nov–Mar

J

F

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A

M

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J

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O

N

D

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