Common Birds in Dorset

49 species matching this filter.

All birds in Dorset

Dorset is home to a rich variety of commonly seen bird species, with 49 regularly recorded across its diverse habitats — from the dramatic Jurassic Coast cliffs and sheltered harbours to ancient heathlands and lush river valleys. Familiar species such as the Carrion Crow, Dunnock, and Greenfinch can be spotted in gardens and hedgerows, while wading birds like the Black-tailed Godwit frequent the mudflats of Poole Harbour and the Fleet. For a broader look at everyday species across the country, our guide to 23 Common Garden Birds in the UK (Full Guide with Pictures) is a great companion to exploring Dorset's birdlife.

Goldcrest
GoldcrestSmallest · 8.5cm
to
Mute Swan
Mute SwanLargest · 160cm
Ranges from the Goldcrest (8.5cm) to the Mute Swan (160cm)28 families represented44 year-round residents

Showing 1–23 of 49 species

Barn Swallow

Barn Swallow

Hirundo rusticaLC

A common summer visitor breeding in barns and outbuildings across Dorset's farmland. Arrives from March and lingers into November.

Mar–Nov

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Black-tailed Godwit

Black-tailed Godwit

Limosa limosaNT

A common resident, with Poole Harbour and the Exe estuary fringes hosting important flocks throughout the year.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Blackbird

Blackbird

Turdus merulaLC

An abundant resident found in virtually every Dorset habitat from gardens to woodland. Numbers swell in autumn with Continental migrants.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Blackcap

Blackcap

Sylvia atricapillaLC

A common year-round resident in Dorset's woods and gardens. Summer breeders are bolstered by wintering birds from central Europe.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Blue Tit

Blue Tit

Cyanistes caeruleusLC

A common year-round resident, readily visiting garden feeders across Dorset. Thrives in woodland, hedgerows and parks throughout the county.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Buzzard

Buzzard

Buteo buteoLC

A common resident soaring over Dorset's farmland, downs, and woodland edges year-round. One of the county's most frequently seen raptors.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Canada Goose

Canada Goose

Branta canadensisLC

A common resident found year-round on lakes, rivers and parkland throughout the county. Often seen in large flocks on Poole Harbour margins.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Carrion Crow

Carrion Crow

Corvus coroneLC

An abundant and adaptable resident found across all Dorset habitats, from town centres to remote coastline. Intelligent and resourceful.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Spotted something?

Upload a photo to identify it

Identify
Chaffinch

Chaffinch

Fringilla coelebsLC

A common resident found in woodlands, hedgerows and gardens throughout Dorset, with numbers boosted by continental birds in winter.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Chiffchaff

Chiffchaff

Phylloscopus collybitaLC

A common year-round resident in Dorset's woods, parks and gardens. Its repetitive two-note song is one of the earliest heard each spring.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Common Pheasant

Common Pheasant

Phasianus colchicusLC

A common resident across Dorset's farmland, woodland edges and hedgerows, widely released for shooting throughout the county.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Common Raven

Common Raven

Corvus coraxLC

Now a common resident, having recovered strongly in Dorset. Often seen soaring over the Jurassic Coast cliffs with deep, cronking calls.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Common Reed-warbler

Common Reed-warbler

Acrocephalus scirpaceusLC

A common summer breeder in Dorset's reedbeds from April to September. Radipole Lake and Lodmoor are reliable sites for this skulking warbler.

Apr–Sep

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Common Shelduck

Common Shelduck

Tadorna tadornaLC

A common resident of estuaries and coastal mudflats, especially Poole Harbour and the Fleet. Numbers increase in winter with continental arrivals.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Common Starling

Common Starling

Sturnus vulgarisLC

A common resident, with numbers boosted in winter by Continental arrivals. Spectacular murmurations form at roost sites across the county.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Common Swift

Common Swift

Apus apusLC

A common summer breeder screaming over Dorset's towns from late April to August, with numbers sadly declining in recent years.

Apr–Sep

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Curlew

Curlew

Numenius arquataNT

A common resident of Poole Harbour's mudflats and Dorset's coastal marshes, with numbers boosted by wintering birds.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Dunnock

Dunnock

Prunella modularisLC

A common and unobtrusive resident of hedgerows and garden shrubberies across Dorset, shuffling along the ground with a distinctive thin, high-pitched song.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Eurasian Oystercatcher

Eurasian Oystercatcher

Haematopus ostralegusNT

A common resident along Dorset's coastline, its piping call a familiar sound on shingle beaches and harbour mudflats year-round.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Eurasian Wigeon

Eurasian Wigeon

Mareca penelopeLC

A common non-breeding visitor from August to April, forming large flocks on coastal marshes and flooded grassland around Poole Harbour.

Aug–Apr

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Eurasian Wren

Eurasian Wren

Troglodytes troglodytesLC

One of Dorset's most abundant birds, delivering a remarkably powerful song from hedgerows, gardens, and undergrowth throughout the year.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
European Goldfinch

European Goldfinch

Carduelis carduelisLC

A common and colourful resident, readily seen in gardens, meadows and along hedgerows throughout the county.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
European Herring Gull

European Herring Gull

Larus argentatusLC

A common and conspicuous resident found throughout Dorset's coast and towns year-round. Breeds on rooftops and sea cliffs alike.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Page 1 of 3Next

Frequently Asked Questions

Common Birds in Dorset | Birdfact