Birds to See in Dorset in April
176 bird species on our list for Dorset are recorded regularly in April
Of these, the most often recorded are Woodpigeon, Blackbird, European Robin, Carrion Crow and European Herring Gull. New this month: Common Swift, Common Reed-warbler, House Martin and Whitethroat and 29 more.
On the move in April
GBIF · AprArriving
At their peak
From Dorset’s bird records, 2019–2024: arriving birds are regular this month but not last; leaving birds are regular this month but not next.
Other months
All 176 birds in April
176 birds
WoodpigeonColumba palumbusResidentCommon40–42 cmRecorded all year · 3.06% in Apr
BlackbirdTurdus merulaResidentCommon24–25 cmRecorded all year · 2.83% in Apr
European RobinErithacus rubeculaResidentCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 2.80% in Apr
Carrion CrowCorvus coroneResidentCommon45–47 cmRecorded all year · 2.75% in Apr
European Herring GullLarus argentatusResidentCommon55–67 cmRecorded all year · 2.56% in Apr
ChiffchaffPhylloscopus collybitaSummer visitorCommon10–12 cmRecorded all year · 2.53% in Apr
Blue TitCyanistes caeruleusResidentCommon11–12 cmRecorded all year · 2.34% in Apr
Eurasian WrenTroglodytes troglodytesResidentCommon9–10 cmRecorded all year · 2.30% in Apr
Great TitParus majorResidentCommonRecorded all year · 2.28% in Apr
European GoldfinchCarduelis carduelisResidentCommon12–13 cmRecorded all year · 2.14% in Apr
Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundusResidentCommon38–44 cmRecorded all year · 2.09% in Apr
MagpiePica picaResidentCommon44–46 cmRecorded all year · 2.05% in Apr
DunnockPrunella modularisResidentCommon14–15 cmRecorded all year · 2.03% in Apr
BlackcapSylvia atricapillaSummer visitorCommon13–15 cmRecorded all year · 1.95% in Apr
ChaffinchFringilla coelebsResidentCommon14–16 cmRecorded all year · 1.89% in Apr
JackdawColoeus monedulaResidentCommon34–39 cmRecorded all year · 1.83% in Apr
MallardAnas platyrhynchosResidentCommon50–65 cmRecorded all year · 1.82% in Apr
Barn SwallowHirundo rusticaSummer visitorCommon17–19 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 1.74% in Apr
House SparrowPasser domesticusResidentCommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 1.65% in Apr
Common StarlingSturnus vulgarisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 1.46% in Apr
GreenfinchChloris chlorisResidentCommon15–16 cmRecorded all year · 1.45% in Apr
Great CormorantPhalacrocorax carboResidentCommon80–100 cmRecorded all year · 1.40% in Apr
Canada GooseBranta canadensisResidentCommon76–110 cmRecorded all year · 1.38% in Apr
BuzzardButeo buteoResidentCommon51–57 cmRecorded all year · 1.33% in Apr
Little EgretEgretta garzettaResidentCommon55–65 cmRecorded all year · 1.25% in Apr
Song ThrushTurdus philomelosResidentCommon20–23 cmRecorded all year · 1.25% in Apr
Common ShelduckTadorna tadornaResidentCommon58–67 cmRecorded all year · 1.24% in Apr
Mute SwanCygnus olorResidentCommon140–160 cmRecorded all year · 1.21% in Apr
LinnetLinaria cannabinaResidentCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 1.21% in Apr
Common PheasantPhasianus colchicusResidentCommon50–90 cmRecorded all year · 1.15% in Apr
Cetti's WarblerCettia cettiResidentCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 1.09% in Apr
Great Black-backed GullLarus marinusResidentCommon64–79 cmRecorded all year · 1.08% in Apr
Long-tailed TitAegithalos caudatusResidentCommon13–16 cmRecorded all year · 1.04% in Apr
Pied WagtailMotacilla albaResidentCommon17–19 cmRecorded all year · 1.02% in Apr
Eurasian OystercatcherHaematopus ostralegusResidentCommon40–45 cmRecorded all year · 1.00% in Apr
Mediterranean GullIchthyaetus melanocephalusResidentCommon37–40 cmRecorded all year · 0.93% in Apr
Grey HeronArdea cinereaResidentCommon90–98 cmRecorded all year · 0.90% in Apr
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscusResidentCommon52–64 cmRecorded all year · 0.90% in Apr
Eurasian SkylarkAlauda arvensisSummer visitorCommon16–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.89% in Apr
MoorhenGallinula chloropusResidentCommon30–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.86% in Apr
Black-tailed GodwitLimosa limosaResidentCommon40–44 cmRecorded all year · 0.84% in Apr
StonechatSaxicola rubicolaResidentCommon12–13 cmRecorded all year · 0.83% in Apr
Stock DoveColumba oenasResidentCommon32–34 cmRecorded all year · 0.83% in Apr
Eurasian TealAnas creccaWinter visitorCommon34–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.81% in Apr
Willow WarblerPhylloscopus trochilusSummer visitorCommon11–13 cmRegularly Mar–Sep · 0.80% in Apr
RookCorvus frugilegusResidentCommon45–47 cmRecorded all year · 0.78% in Apr
KestrelFalco tinnunculusResidentCommon32–39 cmRecorded all year · 0.76% in Apr
GadwallMareca streperaResidentCommon46–56 cmRecorded all year · 0.75% in Apr
Common RavenCorvus coraxResidentCommon54–67 cmRecorded all year · 0.72% in Apr
Sand MartinRiparia ripariaSummer visitorCommon12–14 cmRegularly Mar–Sep · 0.67% in Apr
Meadow PipitAnthus pratensisResidentCommon14–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.67% in Apr
Eurasian Collared DoveStreptopelia decaoctoResidentCommon30–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.66% in Apr
Coal TitPeriparus aterResidentCommon10–12 cmRecorded all year · 0.66% in Apr
Rock DoveColumba liviaResidentCommon29–37 cmRecorded all year · 0.65% in Apr
Reed BuntingEmberiza schoeniclusResidentCommon14–16 cmRecorded all year · 0.64% in Apr
RedshankTringa totanusResidentCommon27–29 cmRecorded all year · 0.63% in Apr
Great Spotted WoodpeckerDendrocopos majorResidentCommon23–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.63% in Apr
WheatearOenanthe oenantheSummer visitorCommon15–16 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.63% in Apr
Common Reed-warblerAcrocephalus scirpaceusSummer visitorCommon13–14 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.63% in Apr
Eurasian NuthatchSitta europaeaResidentCommon12–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.58% in Apr
Eurasian JayGarrulus glandariusResidentCommon32–35 cmRecorded all year · 0.55% in Apr
Sandwich TernThalasseus sandvicensisSummer visitorCommon36–41 cmRegularly Mar–Jan · 0.55% in Apr
GoldcrestRegulus regulusResidentCommon9–10 cmRecorded all year · 0.55% in Apr
Tufted DuckAythya fuligulaResidentCommon40–47 cmRecorded all year · 0.55% in Apr
CootFulica atraResidentCommon36–42 cmRecorded all year · 0.52% in Apr
CurlewNumenius arquataResidentCommon50–60 cmRecorded all year · 0.51% in Apr
WhitethroatCurruca communisSummer visitorCommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.51% in Apr
House MartinDelichon urbicumSummer visitorCommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.50% in Apr
Great Crested GrebePodiceps cristatusResidentCommon46–51 cmRecorded all year · 0.49% in Apr
Eurasian SiskinSpinus spinusResidentCommon11–13 cmRecorded all year · 0.48% in Apr
WhimbrelNumenius phaeopusPassage migrantCommon40–46 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.47% in Apr
Mistle ThrushTurdus viscivorusResidentUncommon26–29 cmRecorded all year · 0.44% in Apr
SparrowhawkAccipiter nisusResidentCommon28–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.42% in Apr
Greylag GooseAnser anserResidentUncommon75–90 cmRecorded all year · 0.41% in Apr
Western Marsh-harrierCircus aeruginosusResidentCommon48–56 cmRecorded all year · 0.41% in Apr
BullfinchPyrrhula pyrrhulaResidentCommon15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.36% in Apr
European ShagGulosus aristotelisResidentCommon65–80 cmRecorded all year · 0.33% in Apr
European Green WoodpeckerPicus viridisResidentUncommon30–36 cmRecorded all year · 0.32% in Apr
Northern GannetMorus bassanusResidentUncommon87–100 cmRecorded all year · 0.32% in Apr
Northern ShovelerSpatula clypeataWinter visitorCommon44–51 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.31% in Apr
Rock PipitAnthus petrosusResidentCommon16–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.30% in Apr
GreenshankTringa nebulariaWinter visitorCommon30–35 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.28% in Apr
YellowhammerEmberiza citrinellaResidentCommon16–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.26% in Apr
Red KiteMilvus milvusResidentUncommon60–66 cmRecorded all year · 0.26% in Apr
DunlinCalidris alpinaResidentCommon16–22 cmRecorded all year · 0.26% in Apr
FulmarFulmarus glacialisResidentUncommon45–50 cmRegularly Nov–Sep · 0.26% in Apr
Northern LapwingVanellus vanellusResidentCommon28–31 cmRecorded all year · 0.25% in Apr
Bar-tailed GodwitLimosa lapponicaResidentUncommon37–41 cmRecorded all year · 0.25% in Apr
Sedge WarblerAcrocephalus schoenobaenusSummer visitorUncommon12–13 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.24% in Apr
Egyptian GooseAlopochen aegyptiacaResidentUncommon63–73 cmRecorded all year · 0.23% in Apr
OspreyPandion haliaetusSummer visitorCommon54–58 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.22% in Apr
RazorbillAlca tordaResidentUncommon38–43 cmRegularly Sep–Jul · 0.21% in Apr
Common SnipeGallinago gallinagoWinter visitorCommon25–27 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.18% in Apr
Common GullLarus canusWinter visitorCommon40–46 cmRecorded all year · 0.18% in Apr
Common SandpiperActitis hypoleucosSummer visitorCommon18–20 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.18% in Apr
Eurasian WigeonMareca penelopeWinter visitorCommon42–51 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.17% in Apr
TreecreeperCerthia familiarisResidentUncommon12–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.17% in Apr
Little Ringed PloverThinornis dubiusSummer visitorUncommon14–17 cmRegularly Mar–Aug · 0.17% in Apr
Common SwiftApus apusSummer visitorCommon16–17 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 0.17% in Apr
Common TernSterna hirundoSummer visitorCommon31–35 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.17% in Apr
Common RedstartPhoenicurus phoenicurusSummer visitorUncommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.16% in Apr
CuckooCuculus canorusPassage migrantCommon32–34 cmRegularly Apr–Jun · 0.16% in Apr
Peregrine FalconFalco peregrinusResidentUncommon34–58 cmRecorded all year · records held back in Apr (protected)
Water RailRallus aquaticusWinter visitorUncommon23–28 cmRecorded all year · 0.16% in Apr
Ringed PloverCharadrius hiaticulaSummer visitorCommon17–19 cmRecorded all year · 0.15% in Apr
Grey WagtailMotacilla cinereaWinter visitorCommon17–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.15% in Apr
Red-legged PartridgeAlectoris rufaResidentUncommon32–34 cmRecorded all year · 0.15% in Apr
Lesser WhitethroatCurruca currucaSummer visitorUncommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.13% in Apr
White-tailed Sea-eagleHaliaeetus albicillaResidentUncommon66–94 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in Apr
FirecrestRegulus ignicapillaResidentUncommon9–10 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in Apr
Ruddy TurnstoneArenaria interpresWinter visitorCommon21–24 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in Apr
KittiwakeRissa tridactylaSummer visitorUncommon37–41 cmRecorded all year · 0.12% in Apr
Common KingfisherAlcedo atthisWinter visitorCommon16–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.12% in Apr
PochardAythya ferinaWinter visitorUncommon42–49 cmRegularly Aug–Jun · 0.12% in Apr
Tree PipitAnthus trivialisSummer visitorUncommon14–16 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.12% in Apr
AvocetRecurvirostra avosettaWinter visitorCommon42–45 cmRecorded all year · 0.11% in Apr
Brent GooseBranta berniclaWinter visitorCommon55–66 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.11% in Apr
Common ScoterMelanitta nigraResidentUncommon43–54 cmRecorded all year · 0.11% in Apr
Little GrebeTachybaptus ruficollisResidentCommon23–29 cmRecorded all year · 0.11% in Apr
WoodlarkLullula arboreaResidentUncommon15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.10% in Apr
WhinchatSaxicola rubetraPassage migrantUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.10% in Apr
Little OwlAthene noctuaResidentUncommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.10% in Apr
Red-breasted MerganserMergus serratorWinter visitorCommon52–58 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.10% in Apr
Marsh TitPoecile palustrisResidentUncommon12–13 cmRecorded all year · 0.09% in Apr
Red CrossbillLoxia curvirostraResidentUncommon15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.09% in Apr
Green SandpiperTringa ochropusWinter visitorCommon21–24 cmRegularly Jun–Apr · 0.09% in Apr
Spotted RedshankTringa erythropusWinter visitorUncommon29–31 cmRegularly Jun–Apr · 0.09% in Apr
Yellow WagtailMotacilla flavaPassage migrantCommon15–17 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.09% in Apr
Corn BuntingEmberiza calandraResidentUncommon16–19 cmRecorded all year · 0.09% in Apr
Manx ShearwaterPuffinus puffinusSummer visitorUncommon30–38 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.09% in Apr
Little TernSternula albifronsSummer visitorUncommon21–25 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 0.08% in Apr
Grey PloverPluvialis squatarolaWinter visitorUncommon27–30 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.08% in Apr
Great White EgretArdea albaResidentUncommon80–104 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in Apr
Garden WarblerSylvia borinSummer visitorUncommon14–15 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.08% in Apr
Bearded TitPanurus biarmicusResidentUncommon13–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in Apr
Eurasian SpoonbillPlatalea leucorodiaResidentUncommon80–90 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in Apr
GarganeySpatula querquedulaPassage migrantUncommon37–41 cmRegularly Mar–Sep · 0.07% in Apr
Ring OuzelTurdus torquatusPassage migrantUncommon23–24 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.07% in Apr
Tawny OwlStrix alucoResidentUncommon37–43 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in Apr
HobbyFalco subbuteoSummer visitorUncommon28–35 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.06% in Apr
European Pied FlycatcherFicedula hypoleucaPassage migrantUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.06% in Apr
SanderlingCalidris albaResidentUncommon18–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in Apr
Red-throated LoonGavia stellataWinter visitorUncommon53–69 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.06% in Apr
Arctic JaegerStercorarius parasiticusSummer visitorUncommon41–46 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.05% in Apr
Cattle EgretArdea ibisWinter visitorUncommon46–56 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.05% in Apr
Little GullHydrocoloeus minutusPassage migrantUncommon25–30 cmRegularly Jan–Oct · 0.05% in Apr
Common LoonGavia immerWinter visitorCommon66–91 cmRegularly Nov–May · 0.05% in Apr
Purple SandpiperCalidris maritimaWinter visitorUncommon20–22 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.04% in Apr
Black RedstartPhoenicurus ochrurosWinter visitorUncommon13–15 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.04% in Apr
Grasshopper WarblerLocustella naeviaPassage migrantUncommon12–13 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.04% in Apr
Mandarin DuckAix galericulataResidentRare41–49 cmRegularly Feb–Aug · 0.03% in Apr
Barn OwlTyto albaResidentUncommon33–39 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Apr
Barnacle GooseBranta leucopsisResidentRare58–70 cmRegularly Apr–Jan · 0.03% in Apr
Common RedpollAcanthis flammeaWinter visitorUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.03% in Apr
Yellow-legged GullLarus michahellisSummer visitorUncommon52–68 cmRegularly Apr–Feb · 0.03% in Apr
HoopoeUpupa epopsPassage migrantRare25–32 cmRegularly Apr · 0.03% in Apr
Red KnotCalidris canutusWinter visitorUncommon23–26 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.02% in Apr
Atlantic PuffinFratercula arcticaSummer visitorUncommon28–34 cmRegularly Apr–Jul · 0.02% in Apr
Great SkuaStercorarius skuaPassage migrantRare50–58 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.02% in Apr
Arctic TernSterna paradisaeaPassage migrantRare33–39 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.02% in Apr
NightingaleLuscinia megarhynchosPassage migrantRare15–17 cmRegularly Apr–Jun · 0.02% in Apr
Black SwanCygnus atratusSummer visitorUncommon110–142 cmRegularly Mar–Jan · 0.02% in Apr
Grey PartridgePerdix perdixWinter visitorRare28–32 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.02% in Apr
Common MerganserMergus merganserWinter visitorUncommon58–68 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.01% in Apr
Whooper SwanCygnus cygnusWinter visitorRare140–165 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.01% in Apr
EiderSomateria mollissimaWinter visitorUncommon50–71 cmRegularly Sep–Jun · 0.01% in Apr
MerlinFalco columbariusWinter visitorUncommon24–33 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.01% in Apr
Pomarine JaegerStercorarius pomarinusPassage migrantRare46–51 cmRegularly Apr–May · 0.01% in Apr
Wood WarblerPhylloscopus sibilatrixPassage migrantRare11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 0.01% in Apr
SerinSerinus serinusPassage migrantRare11–12 cmRegularly Apr–May · 0.01% in Apr
Short-eared OwlAsio flammeusResidentUncommon34–43 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.01% in Apr
Water PipitAnthus spinolettaWinter visitorUncommon15–17 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.01% in Apr
DipperCinclus cinclusResidentRare17–20 cmRegularly Jan–Oct · 0.01% in Apr
European Turtle-doveStreptopelia turturPassage migrantRare26–28 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.01% in Apr
Reeves's PheasantSyrmaticus reevesiiPassage migrantRare100–210 cmRegularly Mar–Apr · 0.01% in Apr
Cirl BuntingEmberiza cirlusRecords withheldRare15–17 cmRegularly Apr–Jul · records held back in Apr (protected)
Data: EOD – eBird Observation Dataset (Cornell Lab of Ornithology), accessed via GBIF.org, CC BY 4.0. Records from 2019–2024, aggregated and filtered by Birdfact. How these lists are made