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 70–92 of 169 species
Grasshopper Warbler
Locustella naeviaLC
A rare summer breeder with a distinctive reeling song, found in rough grassland and scrubby wetland margins from April to July.
Apr–Jul
Great Black-backed Gull
Larus marinusLC
A scarce year-round resident, seen in small numbers at reservoirs and refuse tips among other large gull species.
Year-round
Great Cormorant
Phalacrocorax carboLC
A common resident found year-round at reservoirs, rivers and gravel pits, often seen perched with wings outstretched to dry.
Year-round
Great Crested Grebe
Podiceps cristatusLC
A common resident on Derbyshire's reservoirs, lakes and gravel pits, with elegant courtship displays visible from early spring.
Year-round
Great Grey Shrike
Lanius excubitorLC
A rare passage visitor in December, sometimes found on moorland edges and open scrubby heathland in the Peak District.
Dec
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Dendrocopos majorLC
An uncommon resident of mature broadleaved and mixed woodlands, often betrayed by its loud drumming in spring.
Year-round
Great Tit
Parus majorLC
A common year-round resident of woodland, parks and gardens, easily recognised by its bold black-and-white head pattern.
Year-round
Great White Egret
Ardea albaLC
An increasingly regular sight at Derbyshire wetlands year-round, reflecting a national expansion from continental Europe.
Year-round
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Greater Scaup
Aythya marilaLC
A rare passage visitor, occasionally joining diving duck flocks on larger reservoirs in late autumn and winter.
Nov–Jan
Greater White-fronted Goose
Anser albifronsLC
A rare spring passage visitor, occasionally dropping in to graze flooded fields or reservoir margins during March.
Mar
Green Sandpiper
Tringa ochropusLC
A scarce but regular visitor to muddy pool edges and reservoir margins, seen on passage and in winter months.
Jul–Apr
Greenfinch
Chloris chlorisLC
A common garden and farmland resident year-round, though numbers have declined significantly due to trichomonosis disease.
Year-round
Greenshank
Tringa nebulariaLC
A rare autumn passage wader visiting reservoir shores and shallow pools, mainly in August and September.
Aug–Sep
Grey Heron
Ardea cinereaLC
A common year-round resident, easily spotted along rivers, reservoirs and farmland ponds across the county.
Year-round
Grey Partridge
Perdix perdixLC
A declining resident of lowland farmland in the south and east of the county. Increasingly rare due to agricultural intensification.
Nov–May
Grey Wagtail
Motacilla cinereaLC
An uncommon resident along fast-flowing rivers and streams in the Peak District, bobbing its long tail on rocks year-round.
Year-round
Greylag Goose
Anser anserLC
An uncommon resident found year-round on lakes, reservoirs and riverside meadows. Feral populations breed alongside truly wild birds.
Year-round
Hawfinch
Coccothraustes coccothraustesLC
A rare and elusive winter visitor, occasionally seen in mature deciduous woodland and parkland from November to February.
Nov–Feb
Hen Harrier
Circus cyaneusLC
A rare passage visitor to Peak District moorlands, occasionally seen in July and October over open upland terrain.
Jul–Oct
Hobby
Falco subbuteoLC
An uncommon summer breeder, hunting dragonflies over reservoirs and heathland from May to early autumn.
May–Oct
House Martin
Delichon urbicumLC
A common summer breeder nesting under eaves in towns and villages, often seen in flocks over reservoirs before autumn departure.
Apr–Oct
House Sparrow
Passer domesticusLC
A common resident closely tied to towns and villages, nesting under eaves and in hedges throughout Derbyshire's built-up areas.
Year-round
Jack Snipe
Lymnocryptes minimusLC
A secretive and rare passage visitor to boggy margins and wet meadows, occasionally flushed in January and November.
Nov–Jan