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 139–161 of 187 species
Red Kite
Milvus milvusLC
A rare breeding visitor, part of a slowly recovering population in northern England. Seen soaring over valleys and farmland from March to September.
Mar–Sep
Red Knot
Calidris canutusNT
Found in small numbers on Morecambe Bay and Solway mudflats, mainly outside summer. Large winter flocks are increasingly scarce nationally.
Jul–May
Red-breasted Merganser
Mergus serratorLC
An uncommon resident along the coast and estuaries, also breeding on some upland rivers and lakes.
Year-round
Red-legged Partridge
Alectoris rufaNT
A rare resident of lowland farmland, near the north-western edge of its range. Prefers arable fields and hedgerow margins.
Year-round
Red-necked Grebe
Podiceps grisegenaLC
A rare passage visitor, occasionally recorded in November on coastal waters and larger lakes during autumn dispersal.
Nov
Red-throated Loon
Gavia stellataLC
A rare resident, breeding on remote upland tarns and wintering along the coast. Absent in summer months from lowland areas.
Sep–May
Redshank
Tringa totanusLC
An uncommon resident found on saltmarshes, estuaries, and wet grasslands. Breeds on coastal and upland pastures across Cumbria.
Year-round
Redwing
Turdus iliacusNT
A winter visitor from Scandinavia, arriving from October. Feeds in hedgerows and fields, often alongside fieldfares.
Sep–Apr
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Reed Bunting
Emberiza schoeniclusLC
An uncommon year-round resident of reedbeds, boggy margins and damp farmland, often seen perched atop rushes around Cumbrian tarns.
Year-round
Ring Ouzel
Turdus torquatusLC
A rare and declining summer breeder on high Lakeland crags and fell-sides. Look for its distinctive white breast crescent.
Apr–Jun
Ringed Plover
Charadrius hiaticulaLC
An uncommon resident of shingle beaches and estuarine shores. Breeds along the coast and passage birds boost autumn numbers.
Year-round
Rock Dove
Columba liviaLC
Feral populations are uncommon residents in towns and on coastal cliffs, with true wild birds very scarce.
Year-round
Rock Pipit
Anthus petrosusLC
A scarce resident of Cumbria's rocky coastline, foraging among seaweed-strewn boulders at St Bees Head and along the Solway shore.
Year-round
Rook
Corvus frugilegusLC
A common resident of lowland farmland, gathering in large rookeries in tall trees. Flocks foraging in ploughed fields are a classic Cumbrian scene.
Year-round
Ross's Goose
Anser rossiiLC
An extremely rare visitor in midwinter, likely of uncertain origin. May associate with other wintering goose flocks on lowland fields.
Jan
Ruddy Turnstone
Arenaria interpresLC
An uncommon resident of Cumbria's rocky coastlines, turning stones for invertebrates. Present most months except June on the Solway and west coast.
Jul–May
Ruff
Philomachus pugnaxLC
A rare wader found on coastal estuaries and inland pools, mainly on autumn passage. Morecambe Bay fringes offer the best chances.
Jul–Mar
Sand Martin
Riparia ripariaLC
An uncommon summer visitor breeding in sandy riverbanks, often seen hawking insects over lakes and rivers from March.
Mar–Sep
Sanderling
Calidris albaLC
A rare but year-round visitor to sandy beaches along the Cumbrian coast, often seen in small flocks running along the tideline.
Year-round
Sandwich Tern
Thalasseus sandvicensisLC
A rare breeder present March to September along the coast. The largest of Cumbria's breeding terns, often seen at Hodbarrow and estuaries.
Mar–Sep
Sedge Warbler
Acrocephalus schoenobaenusLC
An uncommon summer breeder arriving in April, favouring reedbeds and waterside scrub around Cumbrian tarns and wetlands.
Apr–Sep
Short-eared Owl
Asio flammeusLC
A rare passage visitor, occasionally noted over open moorland and rough grassland. Hunts with buoyant, wavering flight low over the ground.
Jun
Smew
Mergellus albellusLC
A rare late-winter visitor, occasionally appearing on sheltered lakes and reservoirs during cold spells from the continent.
Feb