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 47–69 of 169 species
Eurasian Bittern
Botaurus stellarisLC
A rare and secretive resident of reedbeds, most likely encountered at sites like Ogston Reservoir during spring and autumn.
Apr–Nov
Eurasian Collared Dove
Streptopelia decaoctoLC
A common resident in towns, villages, and farmyards throughout the county. Its monotonous three-note call is a familiar suburban sound.
Year-round
Eurasian Jay
Garrulus glandariusLC
An uncommon resident of broadleaved and mixed woodland, often heard giving its harsh screaming call in autumn as it caches acorns.
Year-round
Eurasian Nuthatch
Sitta europaeaLC
A vocal resident of mature deciduous woodland and parkland, readily visiting garden feeders. Often heard giving its loud ringing call.
Year-round
Eurasian Oystercatcher
Haematopus ostralegusNT
An uncommon breeder along river shingle and reservoir margins, arriving from late winter. Has spread inland in recent decades.
Jan–Sep
Eurasian Siskin
Spinus spinusLC
A common resident associated with conifer and alder woodland, often seen in lively flocks at nyjer seed feeders in winter.
Year-round
Eurasian Skylark
Alauda arvensisLC
An uncommon resident of open farmland and moorland fringes, declining in the uplands but still singing over Peak District grasslands.
Year-round
Eurasian Tree Sparrow
Passer montanusLC
A rare and localised resident, favouring farmland with mature hedgerows and visiting rural feeding stations in small flocks.
Year-round
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Eurasian Wigeon
Mareca penelopeLC
An uncommon resident with numbers boosted in winter. Flocks graze flooded pastures and gather on larger reservoirs.
Jul–May
Eurasian Woodcock
Scolopax rusticolaLC
A scarce resident of damp woodland floors, best detected during roding display flights over Peak District woods at dusk in spring.
Nov–Jul
Eurasian Wren
Troglodytes troglodytesLC
One of Derbyshire's most abundant residents, found in virtually every habitat from moorland cloughs to town gardens. Remarkably loud for its size.
Year-round
European Goldfinch
Carduelis carduelisLC
A common and colourful resident, frequently visiting garden feeders and foraging on teasel and thistle heads across the county.
Year-round
European Green Woodpecker
Picus viridisLC
An uncommon resident of parkland and woodland edges in the lowlands, recognised by its loud, laughing call.
Year-round
European Herring Gull
Larus argentatusLC
Present year-round at reservoirs, tips, and urban rooftops. Less numerous inland than on the coast but regularly encountered.
Year-round
European Pied Flycatcher
Ficedula hypoleucaLC
An uncommon summer breeder favouring oak woodlands in the western Peak District, often using nestboxes. Present from April to July.
Apr–Jul
European Robin
Erithacus rubeculaLC
A beloved and abundant resident of gardens, woodland and hedgerows. One of the tamest birds encountered across Derbyshire year-round.
Year-round
Fieldfare
Turdus pilarisLC
A common winter visitor forming noisy flocks across farmland and berry-laden hedgerows, often with Redwings. Arrives from Scandinavia in October.
Oct–Apr
Gadwall
Mareca streperaLC
An uncommon but increasing resident, breeding at gravel pits and reservoirs. Favours well-vegetated lowland waterbodies.
Year-round
Garden Warbler
Sylvia borinLC
An unobtrusive summer breeder in dense scrubby woodland, present from April to August. Easier to hear than to see among thick undergrowth.
Apr–Aug
Garganey
Spatula querquedulaLC
A rare passage migrant, occasionally stopping at lowland pools and reservoir margins in late summer on southward migration.
Aug
Goldcrest
Regulus regulusLC
A tiny resident of coniferous and mixed woodland, often found in Peak District plantations. Numbers swell in autumn with continental arrivals.
Year-round
Golden Plover
Pluvialis apricariaLC
Breeds on the Dark Peak moors in summer and forms flocks on lowland fields in winter. A declining upland species of conservation concern.
Sep–Jul
Goldeneye
Bucephala clangulaLC
An uncommon winter visitor to reservoirs and larger lakes, present mainly from autumn to spring. Males are striking with their glossy green heads.
Jul–May