Common Birds in Cumbria

37 species matching this filter.

All birds in Cumbria

Cumbria is home to 37 commonly spotted bird species, reflecting the county's rich variety of habitats — from the rugged Lake District fells and ancient woodlands to sweeping estuaries and rolling farmland. Familiar garden visitors such as the Blackbird and Dunnock thrive alongside upland specialists like the Curlew, while coastal areas attract species such as the European Herring Gull and Great Cormorant. Many of these species also feature in our guide to 23 Common Garden Birds in the UK (Full Guide with Pictures), making Cumbria a rewarding destination for birdwatchers of all levels.

Eurasian Wren
Eurasian WrenSmallest · 9cm
to
Mute Swan
Mute SwanLargest · 160cm
Ranges from the Eurasian Wren (9cm) to the Mute Swan (160cm)24 families represented33 year-round residents

Showing 1–23 of 37 species

Barn Swallow

Barn Swallow

Hirundo rusticaLC

A common summer breeder from March to October, nesting in barns and farm buildings across Cumbrian valleys.

Mar–Oct

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Blackbird

Blackbird

Turdus merulaLC

Abundant in gardens, woodlands, and hedgerows throughout Cumbria. Numbers boosted in autumn by continental migrants.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Blue Tit

Blue Tit

Cyanistes caeruleusLC

A common and familiar garden resident year-round, thriving in Cumbrian woodlands, hedgerows, and suburban areas.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Buzzard

Buzzard

Buteo buteoLC

A common resident soaring over farmland, fell edges and valleys throughout the year. One of Cumbria's most frequently seen raptors.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Canada Goose

Canada Goose

Branta canadensisLC

A common resident on lakes, rivers and parkland throughout the county, breeding readily on Cumbrian waters.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Carrion Crow

Carrion Crow

Corvus coroneLC

A common and adaptable resident found across Cumbrian farmland, fell edges, and towns throughout the year.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Chaffinch

Chaffinch

Fringilla coelebsLC

A familiar year-round resident of woodlands, hedgerows and gardens throughout the county, with its bright 'pink' call heard in every season.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Chiffchaff

Chiffchaff

Phylloscopus collybitaLC

A common resident present year-round, increasingly overwintering in sheltered Cumbrian valleys and woodland edges.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

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Coal Tit

Coal Tit

Periparus aterLC

A common resident of Cumbria's conifer plantations and mixed woodlands, readily visiting garden feeders in winter.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Common Pheasant

Common Pheasant

Phasianus colchicusLC

A common resident of farmland, woodland edges and hedgerows, widely released for shooting across the county.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Common Starling

Common Starling

Sturnus vulgarisLC

Common in towns and farmland year-round. Winter flocks swell with continental arrivals, sometimes forming large roosts.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Common Swift

Common Swift

Apus apusLC

A common summer breeder, screaming over towns and villages from late April to August. Numbers are declining nationally.

Apr–Sep

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Curlew

Curlew

Numenius arquataNT

A common resident whose evocative call defines Cumbria's moorlands and farmland. Winter flocks gather on Morecambe Bay and the Solway.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Dunnock

Dunnock

Prunella modularisLC

A common but unobtrusive resident, shuffling through hedgerows and garden borders year-round with its thin, piping song.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Eurasian Nuthatch

Eurasian Nuthatch

Sitta europaeaLC

A common resident of mature broadleaved woodlands, often seen spiralling head-first down oak trunks in the Lake District valleys.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Eurasian Oystercatcher

Eurasian Oystercatcher

Haematopus ostralegusNT

A common resident breeding on shingle shores, farmland, and river margins. Noisy flocks gather on estuaries outside the breeding season.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Eurasian Wren

Eurasian Wren

Troglodytes troglodytesLC

One of Cumbria's most abundant birds, its explosive song rings through hedgerows, gardens, and fell-side bracken year-round.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
European Goldfinch

European Goldfinch

Carduelis carduelisLC

A colourful and common year-round resident, increasingly seen on garden feeders and foraging on teasel and thistle heads across the county.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
European Herring Gull

European Herring Gull

Larus argentatusLC

A common resident seen year-round along the coast, in towns, and at landfill sites. Breeds on rooftops and coastal cliffs.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
European Robin

European Robin

Erithacus rubeculaLC

A familiar year-round presence in Cumbrian gardens and woodlands, singing its sweet, wistful song even through winter.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Great Cormorant

Great Cormorant

Phalacrocorax carboLC

A common year-round resident on lakes, rivers, and the coast. Often seen perched with wings outstretched on rocks and jetties.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Great Tit

Great Tit

Parus majorLC

A common year-round resident, bold and vocal in gardens and deciduous woodlands across the county.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Greenfinch

Greenfinch

Chloris chlorisLC

A common resident of gardens, farmland and hedgerows, though numbers have declined significantly in recent decades due to disease.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
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