Birds to See in Cumbria in May
165 bird species on our list for Cumbria are recorded regularly in May
Of these, the most often recorded are Blackbird, Carrion Crow, Woodpigeon, Chaffinch and Jackdaw. New this month: Common Swift, Spotted Flycatcher, Hobby and Little Tern and 13 more.
On the move in May
GBIF · MayArriving
At their peak
From Cumbria’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 165 birds in May
165 birds
BlackbirdTurdus merulaResidentCommon24–25 cmRecorded all year · 3.69% in May
Carrion CrowCorvus coroneResidentCommon45–47 cmRecorded all year · 3.29% in May
WoodpigeonColumba palumbusResidentCommon40–42 cmRecorded all year · 3.25% in May
ChaffinchFringilla coelebsResidentCommon14–16 cmRecorded all year · 3.16% in May
JackdawColoeus monedulaResidentCommon34–39 cmRecorded all year · 3.04% in May
European RobinErithacus rubeculaResidentCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 2.76% in May
Barn SwallowHirundo rusticaSummer visitorCommon17–19 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 2.73% in May
Willow WarblerPhylloscopus trochilusSummer visitorCommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 2.58% in May
Eurasian WrenTroglodytes troglodytesResidentCommon9–10 cmRecorded all year · 2.45% in May
Blue TitCyanistes caeruleusResidentCommon11–12 cmRecorded all year · 2.41% in May
MallardAnas platyrhynchosResidentCommon50–65 cmRecorded all year · 2.40% in May
ChiffchaffPhylloscopus collybitaSummer visitorCommon10–12 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 2.22% in May
European GoldfinchCarduelis carduelisResidentCommon12–13 cmRecorded all year · 2.16% in May
Great TitParus majorResidentCommonRecorded all year · 2.01% in May
Song ThrushTurdus philomelosResidentCommon20–23 cmRecorded all year · 1.93% in May
House SparrowPasser domesticusResidentCommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 1.65% in May
BlackcapSylvia atricapillaSummer visitorCommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 1.56% in May
Pied WagtailMotacilla albaResidentCommon17–19 cmRecorded all year · 1.52% in May
Common PheasantPhasianus colchicusResidentCommon50–90 cmRecorded all year · 1.49% in May
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscusResidentCommon52–64 cmRecorded all year · 1.43% in May
Eurasian OystercatcherHaematopus ostralegusResidentCommon40–45 cmRecorded all year · 1.31% in May
DunnockPrunella modularisResidentCommon14–15 cmRecorded all year · 1.28% in May
Common SwiftApus apusSummer visitorCommon16–17 cmRegularly May–Aug · 1.24% in May
European Herring GullLarus argentatusResidentCommon55–67 cmRecorded all year · 1.24% in May
House MartinDelichon urbicumSummer visitorCommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 1.24% in May
MagpiePica picaResidentCommon44–46 cmRecorded all year · 1.22% in May
Common StarlingSturnus vulgarisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 1.19% in May
Greylag GooseAnser anserResidentCommon75–90 cmRecorded all year · 1.19% in May
Meadow PipitAnthus pratensisResidentCommon14–15 cmRecorded all year · 1.17% in May
BuzzardButeo buteoResidentCommon51–57 cmRecorded all year · 1.13% in May
Canada GooseBranta canadensisResidentCommon76–110 cmRecorded all year · 1.11% in May
Grey HeronArdea cinereaResidentCommon90–98 cmRecorded all year · 1.10% in May
RookCorvus frugilegusResidentCommon45–47 cmRecorded all year · 1.10% in May
Mute SwanCygnus olorResidentCommon140–160 cmRecorded all year · 1.08% in May
Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundusResidentCommon38–44 cmRecorded all year · 1.06% in May
GreenfinchChloris chlorisResidentCommon15–16 cmRecorded all year · 1.01% in May
Eurasian SkylarkAlauda arvensisResidentCommon16–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.96% in May
Coal TitPeriparus aterResidentCommon10–12 cmRecorded all year · 0.91% in May
Great Spotted WoodpeckerDendrocopos majorResidentCommon23–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.91% in May
CuckooCuculus canorusPassage migrantCommon32–34 cmRegularly Apr–Jun · 0.88% in May
Reed BuntingEmberiza schoeniclusResidentCommon14–16 cmRecorded all year · 0.87% in May
Sedge WarblerAcrocephalus schoenobaenusSummer visitorCommon12–13 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.83% in May
Sand MartinRiparia ripariaSummer visitorCommon12–14 cmRegularly Mar–Sep · 0.80% in May
Eurasian SiskinSpinus spinusResidentCommon11–13 cmRecorded all year · 0.79% in May
Northern LapwingVanellus vanellusResidentCommon28–31 cmRecorded all year · 0.73% in May
Mistle ThrushTurdus viscivorusResidentCommon26–29 cmRecorded all year · 0.71% in May
CurlewNumenius arquataResidentCommon50–60 cmRecorded all year · 0.70% in May
Great CormorantPhalacrocorax carboResidentCommon80–100 cmRecorded all year · 0.67% in May
Common ShelduckTadorna tadornaResidentCommon58–67 cmRecorded all year · 0.66% in May
Garden WarblerSylvia borinSummer visitorCommon14–15 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 0.64% in May
GoldcrestRegulus regulusResidentCommon9–10 cmRecorded all year · 0.61% in May
MoorhenGallinula chloropusResidentCommon30–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.61% in May
Long-tailed TitAegithalos caudatusResidentCommon13–16 cmRecorded all year · 0.61% in May
Common MerganserMergus merganserResidentCommon58–68 cmRecorded all year · 0.61% in May
Little EgretEgretta garzettaResidentCommon55–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.60% in May
Eurasian Collared DoveStreptopelia decaoctoResidentCommon30–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.59% in May
WhitethroatCurruca communisSummer visitorCommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.59% in May
Common RavenCorvus coraxResidentCommon54–67 cmRecorded all year · 0.57% in May
Eurasian NuthatchSitta europaeaResidentCommon12–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.57% in May
Grey WagtailMotacilla cinereaResidentCommon17–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.56% in May
LinnetLinaria cannabinaSummer visitorCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.56% in May
TreecreeperCerthia familiarisResidentCommon12–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.52% in May
WheatearOenanthe oenantheSummer visitorCommon15–16 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.52% in May
Stock DoveColumba oenasResidentCommon32–34 cmRecorded all year · 0.51% in May
StonechatSaxicola rubicolaResidentCommon12–13 cmRecorded all year · 0.49% in May
Common RedstartPhoenicurus phoenicurusSummer visitorUncommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.48% in May
KestrelFalco tinnunculusResidentCommon32–39 cmRecorded all year · 0.47% in May
Common RedpollAcanthis flammeaResidentCommon12–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.45% in May
Common SandpiperActitis hypoleucosSummer visitorCommon18–20 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.45% in May
Rock DoveColumba liviaResidentCommon29–37 cmRecorded all year · 0.43% in May
European Pied FlycatcherFicedula hypoleucaSummer visitorUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 0.40% in May
Tree PipitAnthus trivialisSummer visitorCommon14–16 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.40% in May
BullfinchPyrrhula pyrrhulaResidentCommon15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.39% in May
Great Black-backed GullLarus marinusResidentCommon64–79 cmRecorded all year · 0.39% in May
Red-breasted MerganserMergus serratorResidentUncommon52–58 cmRecorded all year · 0.37% in May
CootFulica atraResidentCommon36–42 cmRecorded all year · 0.36% in May
Tufted DuckAythya fuligulaResidentCommon40–47 cmRecorded all year · 0.34% in May
Eurasian Tree SparrowPasser montanusResidentCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.33% in May
Eurasian JayGarrulus glandariusResidentCommon32–35 cmRecorded all year · 0.31% in May
OspreyPandion haliaetusSummer visitorCommon54–58 cmRegularly Mar–Sep · 0.31% in May
DipperCinclus cinclusResidentCommon17–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.30% in May
Ringed PloverCharadrius hiaticulaResidentUncommon17–19 cmRecorded all year · 0.27% in May
Tawny OwlStrix alucoResidentCommon37–43 cmRecorded all year · 0.25% in May
DunlinCalidris alpinaResidentUncommon16–22 cmRecorded all year · 0.24% in May
GadwallMareca streperaResidentUncommon46–56 cmRecorded all year · 0.24% in May
Common Reed-warblerAcrocephalus scirpaceusSummer visitorUncommon13–14 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.24% in May
EiderSomateria mollissimaResidentUncommon50–71 cmRecorded all year · 0.23% in May
Spotted FlycatcherMuscicapa striataSummer visitorCommon14–16 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.23% in May
Grasshopper WarblerLocustella naeviaSummer visitorUncommon12–13 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 0.23% in May
Wood WarblerPhylloscopus sibilatrixSummer visitorUncommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Jul · 0.23% in May
RedshankTringa totanusResidentCommon27–29 cmRecorded all year · 0.22% in May
Little GrebeTachybaptus ruficollisResidentCommon23–29 cmRecorded all year · 0.19% in May
Common GullLarus canusWinter visitorCommon40–46 cmRecorded all year · 0.19% in May
SparrowhawkAccipiter nisusResidentUncommon28–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.19% in May
Eurasian TealAnas creccaWinter visitorCommon34–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.18% in May
WhimbrelNumenius phaeopusPassage migrantUncommon40–46 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.16% in May
Northern ShovelerSpatula clypeataWinter visitorUncommon44–51 cmRecorded all year · 0.14% in May
Sandwich TernThalasseus sandvicensisSummer visitorUncommon36–41 cmRegularly Mar–Sep · 0.14% in May
Water RailRallus aquaticusResidentUncommon23–28 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in May
Western Marsh-harrierCircus aeruginosusResidentUncommon48–56 cmRecorded all year · 0.12% in May
YellowhammerEmberiza citrinellaResidentUncommon16–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.12% in May
Common KingfisherAlcedo atthisResidentUncommon16–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.12% in May
Cetti's WarblerCettia cettiPassage migrantUncommon13–14 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.11% in May
Lesser WhitethroatCurruca currucaSummer visitorUncommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Jul · 0.11% in May
Great Crested GrebePodiceps cristatusResidentUncommon46–51 cmRecorded all year · 0.11% in May
Barnacle GooseBranta leucopsisWinter visitorUncommon58–70 cmRecorded all year · 0.11% in May
KittiwakeRissa tridactylaSummer visitorUncommon37–41 cmRegularly Mar–Jan · 0.10% in May
Little TernSternula albifronsSummer visitorUncommon21–25 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.10% in May
Marsh TitPoecile palustrisResidentUncommon12–13 cmRecorded all year · 0.10% in May
Mandarin DuckAix galericulataSummer visitorUncommon41–49 cmRegularly Mar–Jan · 0.09% in May
Red GrouseLagopus scoticaResidentUncommon37–42 cmRecorded all year · 0.09% in May
Common TernSterna hirundoSummer visitorUncommon31–35 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.09% in May
European Green WoodpeckerPicus viridisResidentUncommon30–36 cmRecorded all year · 0.09% in May
Pink-footed GooseAnser brachyrhynchusWinter visitorCommon60–75 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.09% in May
RazorbillAlca tordaSummer visitorUncommon38–43 cmRegularly Jan–Jul · 0.09% in May
Black-tailed GodwitLimosa limosaSummer visitorUncommon40–44 cmRegularly Mar–Jan · 0.09% in May
Common SnipeGallinago gallinagoWinter visitorCommon25–27 cmRecorded all year · 0.09% in May
Eurasian WigeonMareca penelopeWinter visitorCommon42–51 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.08% in May
SanderlingCalidris albaResidentUncommon18–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in May
Northern GannetMorus bassanusSummer visitorUncommon87–100 cmRegularly Mar–Sep · 0.08% in May
Rock PipitAnthus petrosusResidentUncommon16–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in May
Little Ringed PloverThinornis dubiusSummer visitorUncommon14–17 cmRegularly Apr–Jul · 0.08% in May
Ruddy TurnstoneArenaria interpresWinter visitorUncommon21–24 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.08% in May
Red-legged PartridgeAlectoris rufaResidentUncommon32–34 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in May
HobbyFalco subbuteoSummer visitorUncommon28–35 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.07% in May
Bar-tailed GodwitLimosa lapponicaWinter visitorUncommon37–41 cmRegularly Apr–Feb · 0.06% in May
Ring OuzelTurdus torquatusSummer visitorUncommon23–24 cmRegularly Mar–Sep · 0.06% in May
Peregrine FalconFalco peregrinusResidentUncommon34–58 cmRecorded all year · records held back in May (protected)
Barn OwlTyto albaResidentUncommon33–39 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in May
FulmarFulmarus glacialisSummer visitorUncommon45–50 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 0.05% in May
WhinchatSaxicola rubetraSummer visitorUncommon12–14 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.05% in May
Arctic TernSterna paradisaeaSummer visitorUncommon33–39 cmRegularly Apr–Jul · 0.05% in May
Red KnotCalidris canutusResidentUncommon23–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in May
GarganeySpatula querquedulaPassage migrantUncommon37–41 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.05% in May
Golden PloverPluvialis apricariaWinter visitorUncommon26–29 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in May
Common ScoterMelanitta nigraSummer visitorUncommon43–54 cmRegularly Jan–Oct · 0.04% in May
Little GullHydrocoloeus minutusPassage migrantRare25–30 cmRegularly May · 0.04% in May
Red KiteMilvus milvusSummer visitorUncommon60–66 cmRegularly Feb–Oct · 0.04% in May
Red-throated LoonGavia stellataWinter visitorUncommon53–69 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.04% in May
Red CrossbillLoxia curvirostraResidentUncommon15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in May
Black GuillemotCepphus grylleSummer visitorUncommon30–32 cmRegularly Apr–Jul · 0.03% in May
Eurasian SpoonbillPlatalea leucorodiaSummer visitorUncommon80–90 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.03% in May
AvocetRecurvirostra avosettaSummer visitorRare42–45 cmRegularly Apr–Jul · 0.03% in May
Great White EgretArdea albaWinter visitorUncommon80–104 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.03% in May
Yellow WagtailMotacilla flavaPassage migrantRare15–17 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 0.03% in May
Eurasian BitternBotaurus stellarisPassage migrantRare69–81 cmRegularly May · 0.03% in May
Hooded CrowCorvus cornixSummer visitorRare44–51 cmRegularly Dec–Jul · 0.03% in May
GreenshankTringa nebulariaWinter visitorUncommon30–35 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.02% in May
Arctic JaegerStercorarius parasiticusPassage migrantRare41–46 cmRegularly May · 0.02% in May
Eurasian WoodcockScolopax rusticolaWinter visitorUncommon33–38 cmRegularly Nov–Jun · 0.02% in May
Short-eared OwlAsio flammeusResidentRare34–43 cmRegularly Apr–Jun · 0.02% in May
Bar-headed GooseAnser indicusSummer visitorUncommon68–78 cmRegularly May–Dec · 0.02% in May
HawfinchCoccothraustes coccothraustesWinter visitorUncommon17–18 cmRegularly Nov–Jun · 0.02% in May
Manx ShearwaterPuffinus puffinusSummer visitorUncommon30–38 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.02% in May
PochardAythya ferinaResidentUncommon42–49 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.02% in May
Grey PartridgePerdix perdixResidentRare28–32 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.02% in May
MerlinFalco columbariusWinter visitorUncommon24–33 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in May
Northern PintailAnas acutaWinter visitorUncommon59–76 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.02% in May
RuffCalidris pugnaxPassage migrantUncommon20–32 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.02% in May
European ShagGulosus aristotelisResidentUncommon65–80 cmRegularly Nov–Sep · 0.01% in May
Grey PloverPluvialis squatarolaWinter visitorUncommon27–30 cmRegularly Sep–Jul · 0.01% in May
Pomarine JaegerStercorarius pomarinusPassage migrantRare46–51 cmRegularly May · 0.01% in May
Greater ScaupAythya marilaPassage migrantUncommon39–56 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.01% in May
Hen HarrierCircus cyaneusPassage migrantRare41–52 cmRegularly Sep–Jul · records held back in May (protected)
Willow TitPoecile montanusResidentRare11–12 cmRegularly Jan–May · 0.01% in May
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