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 116–138 of 169 species
Northern Goshawk
Accipiter gentilisLC
A rare but increasing resident breeding in mature woodland, particularly in the larger forests of the Peak District.
Year-round
Northern Lapwing
Vanellus vanellusNT
A common but declining resident, breeding on farmland and moorland fringes. Winter flocks gather on ploughed fields across the lowlands.
Year-round
Northern Pintail
Anas acutaLC
A rare non-breeding visitor to reservoirs and flooded fields, mainly between autumn and early spring.
Sep–Mar
Northern Shoveler
Spatula clypeataLC
An uncommon resident found on shallow, muddy-edged pools and reservoirs. Numbers increase in winter with continental arrivals.
Year-round
Osprey
Pandion haliaetusLC
A rare but thrilling passage migrant, occasionally seen fishing at Carsington Water and other large reservoirs in late summer.
Jun–Sep
Peregrine Falcon
Falco peregrinusLC
An uncommon year-round resident, often seen hunting from Derby Cathedral and the gritstone edges of the Peak District.
Year-round
Pink-footed Goose
Anser brachyrhynchusLC
An uncommon winter visitor, with skeins sometimes heard overhead. Flocks graze farmland and gather at larger reservoirs.
Sep–Apr
Pochard
Aythya ferinaVU
An uncommon and declining resident, breeding sparingly on lowland pools. Winter numbers are bolstered by continental birds.
Year-round
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Red Crossbill
Loxia curvirostraLC
A rare and nomadic resident of conifer plantations, with numbers varying greatly between years depending on cone crops.
Year-round
Red Kite
Milvus milvusLC
A rare but increasing resident, now seen soaring over farmland and valleys as the population slowly spreads northward.
Year-round
Red-crested Pochard
Netta rufinaLC
A rare non-breeding visitor of uncertain origin, occasionally appearing on larger reservoirs and gravel pits in winter.
Sep–Mar
Red-legged Partridge
Alectoris rufaNT
An introduced species found rarely on lowland farmland, mainly in the south of the county. Less established here than in southern England.
Year-round
Red-necked Grebe
Podiceps grisegenaLC
A rare winter visitor to Derbyshire's larger reservoirs, occasionally turning up in January during cold spells.
Jan
Red-throated Loon
Gavia stellataLC
A rare passage visitor to Derbyshire's larger reservoirs in midwinter, usually seen in basic plumage on open water.
Jan–Feb
Redshank
Tringa totanusLC
A scarce resident breeding on wet meadows and moorland fringes. Numbers have declined significantly across the county.
Nov–Sep
Redwing
Turdus iliacusNT
A common winter visitor from Scandinavia, arriving from October and foraging in hedgerows and fields, often alongside Fieldfares.
Sep–Apr
Reed Bunting
Emberiza schoeniclusLC
A common resident of reedbeds, wetland margins, and rough farmland, often joining mixed bunting flocks in winter.
Year-round
Ring Ouzel
Turdus torquatusLC
A rare and declining breeding visitor to the Peak District's gritstone edges and moorland cloughs. A prized sighting for local birders.
Apr–Oct
Ringed Plover
Charadrius hiaticulaLC
A rare breeding visitor to reservoir edges and gravel workings from spring to early autumn. Declining as a Derbyshire breeder.
Mar–Sep
Rock Dove
Columba liviaLC
Feral populations inhabit towns and cities year-round, while purer forms cling on around limestone dales and quarry faces in the Peak District.
Year-round
Rock Pipit
Anthus petrosusLC
A rare passage migrant in October, occasionally turning up at reservoirs and rocky edges despite being primarily a coastal species.
Oct
Rook
Corvus frugilegusLC
A common resident of lowland farmland, with noisy rookeries a familiar sight in the county's villages and field margins.
Year-round
Rose-ringed Parakeet
Alexandrinus krameriLC
A rare winter visitor, occasionally recorded in suburban areas. Well north of the species' main range in southern England.
Dec–Feb