Birds in Cumbria
Explore 187 species found in this region.
Cumbria is one of England's most rewarding counties for birdwatching, with 184 recorded species found across its diverse landscapes of lakes, estuaries, upland fells, and ancient woodlands. The region's varied habitats attract everything from wintering wildfowl such as Pink-footed Goose and Northern Pintail on the Solway Firth to breeding waders like Northern Lapwing and Common Sandpiper along the Lake District's shores. Woodland species including Great Tit and the striking Mandarin Duck can also be encountered, while the county's coastline and river systems support populations of Common Merganser and Common Shelduck year-round.
Visiting in April? Look out for Black Grouse and Black Guillemot arriving this month, and Bar-tailed Godwit and Eurasian Bittern depart for the season.
Showing 24–46 of 187 species
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
Chiffchaff
Phylloscopus collybitaLC
A common resident present year-round, increasingly overwintering in sheltered Cumbrian valleys and woodland edges.
Year-round
Coal Tit
Periparus aterLC
A common resident of Cumbria's conifer plantations and mixed woodlands, readily visiting garden feeders in winter.
Year-round
Common Gull
Larus canusLC
An uncommon year-round resident found on farmland, lakes, and coasts. Breeds on upland bogs and lake islands in the county.
Year-round
Common Kingfisher
Alcedo atthisLC
An uncommon resident along clean rivers and becks across the county. A flash of electric blue darting low over water is often the first sign.
Year-round
Common Loon
Gavia immerLC
A rare non-breeding winter visitor, occasionally seen on larger lakes and coastal waters from November to January.
Nov–Jan
Common Merganser
Mergus merganserLC
An uncommon year-round resident of fast-flowing rivers and upland lakes. Often seen fishing on the Eden and other Cumbrian rivers.
Year-round
Common Pheasant
Phasianus colchicusLC
A common resident of farmland, woodland edges and hedgerows, widely released for shooting across the county.
Year-round
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Common Raven
Corvus coraxLC
An uncommon but year-round resident, favouring the Lake District fells and upland crags where its deep croaking call carries far.
Year-round
Common Redpoll
Acanthis flammeaLC
An uncommon year-round resident, breeding in birch and alder woodland around the Lake District and visiting garden feeders in winter.
Year-round
Common Redstart
Phoenicurus phoenicurusLC
A handsome summer visitor breeding in Lake District oak woods and stone walls. Males flash their orange-red tails.
Apr–Aug
Common Reed-warbler
Acrocephalus scirpaceusLC
A rare breeding visitor from April to September, found in small numbers in reedbeds at the edge of its northern range.
Apr–Sep
Common Sandpiper
Actitis hypoleucosLC
An uncommon summer breeder along Lake District rivers and stony lakeshores, bobbing characteristically on waterside rocks from April to September.
Apr–Sep
Common Scoter
Melanitta nigraLC
A rare resident seen in small numbers offshore, often in rafts on the Irish Sea off the Cumbrian coast.
Year-round
Common Shelduck
Tadorna tadornaLC
An uncommon resident favouring the Solway and Morecambe Bay estuaries, nesting in rabbit burrows nearby.
Year-round
Common Snipe
Gallinago gallinagoLC
An uncommon resident breeding on damp moorland and rushy pastures. Its drumming display flight is a feature of upland Cumbria in spring.
Year-round
Common Starling
Sturnus vulgarisLC
Common in towns and farmland year-round. Winter flocks swell with continental arrivals, sometimes forming large roosts.
Year-round
Common Swift
Apus apusLC
A common summer breeder, screaming over towns and villages from late April to August. Numbers are declining nationally.
Apr–Sep
Common Tern
Sterna hirundoLC
A rare breeding visitor from May to August, found at gravel pits, lakes, and coastal sites. Plunge-dives for fish in shallow waters.
May–Aug
Coot
Fulica atraLC
An uncommon year-round resident of lowland lakes and reservoirs. Less numerous than in southern England.
Year-round
Cuckoo
Cuculus canorusLC
An uncommon summer visitor arriving in April, its distinctive call heard across moorland and woodland edges.
Apr–Jun
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
Curlew Sandpiper
Calidris ferrugineaNT
A scarce autumn passage migrant, briefly visiting coastal mudflats and estuarine margins in September.
Sep