Birds in Derbyshire
Explore 169 species found in this region.
Derbyshire is a wonderfully diverse county for birdwatching, with 168 species recorded across its varied landscapes of Peak District moorlands, limestone dales, reservoirs, and lowland farmland. From the elegant Northern Lapwing displaying over upland fields to the striking Great Grey Shrike on rare winter visits, the county offers rewarding birding throughout the year. Notable species include Eurasian Woodcock in its ancient woodlands, Common Merganser along its rivers, and the eye-catching Mandarin Duck, which has established a growing presence in the region.
Visiting in April? Look out for Arctic Tern and Barn Swallow arriving this month, and Cattle Egret and Greater White-fronted Goose depart for the season.
Showing 24–46 of 169 species
Common Merganser
Mergus merganserLC
An uncommon resident found year-round on the county's rivers and reservoirs. Known locally as Goosander, often seen on the Derwent and Dove.
Year-round
Common Pheasant
Phasianus colchicusLC
A common and widespread resident across farmland and woodland edges throughout Derbyshire, sustained largely by game releases.
Year-round
Common Quail
Coturnix coturnixLC
A rare and elusive summer visitor, occasionally heard calling from arable fields in June. Far more often heard than seen.
Jun
Common Raven
Corvus coraxLC
An uncommon but recovering resident, increasingly seen soaring over gritstone edges and upland valleys in the Peak District.
Year-round
Common Redpoll
Acanthis flammeaLC
An uncommon resident favouring birch and alder woodland, with numbers boosted in some winters by Continental immigrants.
Year-round
Common Redstart
Phoenicurus phoenicurusLC
An uncommon summer visitor breeding in mature oak woodland and along stone walls in the Peak District, arriving from April.
Apr–Sep
Common Reed-warbler
Acrocephalus scirpaceusLC
An uncommon summer breeder present April to September, favouring phragmites reedbeds at lowland reservoirs and gravel pits.
Apr–Sep
Common Sandpiper
Actitis hypoleucosLC
An uncommon summer breeder along rocky rivers and reservoir edges, bobbing characteristically on stones from April to September.
Apr–Sep
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Common Scoter
Melanitta nigraLC
A rare passage visitor to Derbyshire's larger reservoirs in spring and late summer, this sea duck is always a notable inland record.
Mar–Aug
Common Shelduck
Tadorna tadornaLC
A rare resident, thinly spread on reservoirs and gravel pits. More typically coastal, it breeds sparingly inland in the county.
Year-round
Common Snipe
Gallinago gallinagoLC
Present year-round in marshy fields and moorland bogs. Breeds on upland mires and disperses to lowland wetlands in winter.
Year-round
Common Starling
Sturnus vulgarisLC
A common but declining resident found across towns and farmland. Winter roosts can form spectacular murmurations over Derbyshire's urban areas.
Year-round
Common Swift
Apus apusLC
A common summer breeder screaming over towns and villages from late April to August. Numbers have declined but remain notable in Derby.
Apr–Sep
Common Tern
Sterna hirundoLC
An uncommon summer breeder at larger reservoirs, nesting on islands and rafts from April to September.
Apr–Sep
Coot
Fulica atraLC
A common resident on reservoirs, gravel pits, and larger ponds. Often gathers in sizeable flocks on open water in winter.
Year-round
Crag Martin
Ptyonoprogne rupestrisLC
An exceptionally rare passage visitor in November. Any Derbyshire record is a major county rarity.
Nov
Cuckoo
Cuculus canorusLC
An uncommon summer breeder arriving in April, favouring moorland edges and wooded valleys. Declining across the county in recent decades.
Apr–Jul
Curlew
Numenius arquataNT
Breeds on Peak District moorlands and upland pastures from February to August. A declining species whose evocative call defines Derbyshire's open hills.
Feb–Aug
Dipper
Cinclus cinclusLC
An iconic resident of fast-flowing Peak District rivers and streams. Bobs on midstream rocks and nests under bridges along the Derwent and Dove.
Year-round
Dunlin
Calidris alpinaLC
A scarce breeder on high Peak District moorlands, with small numbers also visiting lowland reservoirs on passage and in winter.
Mar–Dec
Dunnock
Prunella modularisLC
A common and widespread resident, found year-round in hedgerows, gardens, and woodland undergrowth across the county.
Year-round
Dusky Thrush
Turdus eunomusLC
A rare vagrant from Siberia, recorded as a passage bird in December. An exceptional find for Derbyshire's county bird list.
Dec
Egyptian Goose
Alopochen aegyptiacaLC
A rare but increasing feral resident, found year-round on parkland lakes and gravel pits across lowland Derbyshire.
Year-round