Birds to See in Dorset in February
147 bird species on our list for Dorset are recorded regularly in February
Of these, the most often recorded are Woodpigeon, Carrion Crow, European Robin, European Herring Gull and Black-headed Gull. New this month: Short-eared Owl and Mandarin Duck.
On the move in February
GBIF · FebAt 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 147 birds in February
147 birds
WoodpigeonColumba palumbusResidentCommon40–42 cmRecorded all year · 2.99% in Feb
Carrion CrowCorvus coroneResidentCommon45–47 cmRecorded all year · 2.91% in Feb
European RobinErithacus rubeculaResidentCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 2.90% in Feb
European Herring GullLarus argentatusResidentCommon55–67 cmRecorded all year · 2.79% in Feb
Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundusResidentCommon38–44 cmRecorded all year · 2.64% in Feb
BlackbirdTurdus merulaResidentCommon24–25 cmRecorded all year · 2.61% in Feb
Blue TitCyanistes caeruleusResidentCommon11–12 cmRecorded all year · 2.51% in Feb
Great TitParus majorResidentCommonRecorded all year · 2.30% in Feb
MagpiePica picaResidentCommon44–46 cmRecorded all year · 2.23% in Feb
Great CormorantPhalacrocorax carboResidentCommon80–100 cmRecorded all year · 2.06% in Feb
DunnockPrunella modularisResidentCommon14–15 cmRecorded all year · 1.98% in Feb
MallardAnas platyrhynchosResidentCommon50–65 cmRecorded all year · 1.96% in Feb
European GoldfinchCarduelis carduelisResidentCommon12–13 cmRecorded all year · 1.84% in Feb
ChaffinchFringilla coelebsResidentCommon14–16 cmRecorded all year · 1.82% in Feb
Little EgretEgretta garzettaResidentCommon55–65 cmRecorded all year · 1.74% in Feb
Eurasian WrenTroglodytes troglodytesResidentCommon9–10 cmRecorded all year · 1.71% in Feb
Eurasian TealAnas creccaWinter visitorCommon34–38 cmRecorded all year · 1.69% in Feb
JackdawColoeus monedulaResidentCommon34–39 cmRecorded all year · 1.68% in Feb
Long-tailed TitAegithalos caudatusResidentCommon13–16 cmRecorded all year · 1.56% in Feb
Common StarlingSturnus vulgarisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 1.55% in Feb
Canada GooseBranta canadensisResidentCommon76–110 cmRecorded all year · 1.41% in Feb
Great Black-backed GullLarus marinusResidentCommon64–79 cmRecorded all year · 1.40% in Feb
GreenfinchChloris chlorisResidentCommon15–16 cmRecorded all year · 1.39% in Feb
Common ShelduckTadorna tadornaResidentCommon58–67 cmRecorded all year · 1.37% in Feb
Pied WagtailMotacilla albaResidentCommon17–19 cmRecorded all year · 1.36% in Feb
Mute SwanCygnus olorResidentCommon140–160 cmRecorded all year · 1.33% in Feb
Eurasian WigeonMareca penelopeWinter visitorCommon42–51 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 1.32% in Feb
Eurasian OystercatcherHaematopus ostralegusResidentCommon40–45 cmRecorded all year · 1.29% in Feb
Song ThrushTurdus philomelosResidentCommon20–23 cmRecorded all year · 1.29% in Feb
House SparrowPasser domesticusResidentCommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 1.29% in Feb
BuzzardButeo buteoResidentCommon51–57 cmRecorded all year · 1.15% in Feb
MoorhenGallinula chloropusResidentCommon30–38 cmRecorded all year · 1.03% in Feb
CurlewNumenius arquataResidentCommon50–60 cmRecorded all year · 1.02% in Feb
Grey HeronArdea cinereaResidentCommon90–98 cmRecorded all year · 1.02% in Feb
RedshankTringa totanusResidentCommon27–29 cmRecorded all year · 0.98% in Feb
Northern LapwingVanellus vanellusResidentCommon28–31 cmRecorded all year · 0.97% in Feb
GoldcrestRegulus regulusResidentCommon9–10 cmRecorded all year · 0.90% in Feb
Common GullLarus canusWinter visitorCommon40–46 cmRecorded all year · 0.89% in Feb
Rock DoveColumba liviaResidentCommon29–37 cmRecorded all year · 0.87% in Feb
Brent GooseBranta berniclaWinter visitorCommon55–66 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.85% in Feb
Mediterranean GullIchthyaetus melanocephalusResidentCommon37–40 cmRecorded all year · 0.85% in Feb
Great Crested GrebePodiceps cristatusResidentCommon46–51 cmRecorded all year · 0.84% in Feb
RookCorvus frugilegusResidentCommon45–47 cmRecorded all year · 0.83% in Feb
Common RavenCorvus coraxResidentCommon54–67 cmRecorded all year · 0.81% in Feb
Coal TitPeriparus aterResidentCommon10–12 cmRecorded all year · 0.81% in Feb
Meadow PipitAnthus pratensisResidentCommon14–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.80% in Feb
RedwingTurdus iliacusWinter visitorCommon20–24 cmRegularly Oct–Mar · 0.80% in Feb
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscusResidentCommon52–64 cmRecorded all year · 0.78% in Feb
StonechatSaxicola rubicolaResidentCommon12–13 cmRecorded all year · 0.78% in Feb
Black-tailed GodwitLimosa limosaResidentCommon40–44 cmRecorded all year · 0.76% in Feb
Red-breasted MerganserMergus serratorWinter visitorCommon52–58 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.76% in Feb
CootFulica atraResidentCommon36–42 cmRecorded all year · 0.74% in Feb
Common PheasantPhasianus colchicusResidentCommon50–90 cmRecorded all year · 0.70% in Feb
Tufted DuckAythya fuligulaResidentCommon40–47 cmRecorded all year · 0.69% in Feb
GadwallMareca streperaResidentCommon46–56 cmRecorded all year · 0.68% in Feb
Stock DoveColumba oenasResidentCommon32–34 cmRecorded all year · 0.68% in Feb
KestrelFalco tinnunculusResidentCommon32–39 cmRecorded all year · 0.66% in Feb
Reed BuntingEmberiza schoeniclusResidentCommon14–16 cmRecorded all year · 0.66% in Feb
Eurasian SiskinSpinus spinusResidentCommon11–13 cmRecorded all year · 0.65% in Feb
Northern ShovelerSpatula clypeataWinter visitorCommon44–51 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.65% in Feb
DunlinCalidris alpinaResidentCommon16–22 cmRecorded all year · 0.62% in Feb
Great Spotted WoodpeckerDendrocopos majorResidentCommon23–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.62% in Feb
Western Marsh-harrierCircus aeruginosusResidentCommon48–56 cmRecorded all year · 0.62% in Feb
AvocetRecurvirostra avosettaWinter visitorCommon42–45 cmRecorded all year · 0.59% in Feb
Eurasian Collared DoveStreptopelia decaoctoResidentCommon30–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.59% in Feb
Common SnipeGallinago gallinagoWinter visitorCommon25–27 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.58% in Feb
ChiffchaffPhylloscopus collybitaSummer visitorCommon10–12 cmRecorded all year · 0.57% in Feb
Cetti's WarblerCettia cettiResidentCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.57% in Feb
Eurasian NuthatchSitta europaeaResidentCommon12–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.55% in Feb
Eurasian JayGarrulus glandariusResidentCommon32–35 cmRecorded all year · 0.45% in Feb
LinnetLinaria cannabinaResidentCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.44% in Feb
Mistle ThrushTurdus viscivorusResidentUncommon26–29 cmRecorded all year · 0.43% in Feb
SparrowhawkAccipiter nisusResidentCommon28–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.42% in Feb
Ruddy TurnstoneArenaria interpresWinter visitorCommon21–24 cmRecorded all year · 0.41% in Feb
European ShagGulosus aristotelisResidentCommon65–80 cmRecorded all year · 0.38% in Feb
Peregrine FalconFalco peregrinusResidentUncommon34–58 cmRecorded all year · 0.38% in Feb
Grey WagtailMotacilla cinereaWinter visitorCommon17–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.38% in Feb
BullfinchPyrrhula pyrrhulaResidentCommon15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.37% in Feb
Greylag GooseAnser anserResidentUncommon75–90 cmRecorded all year · 0.37% in Feb
GreenshankTringa nebulariaWinter visitorCommon30–35 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.37% in Feb
Eurasian SkylarkAlauda arvensisSummer visitorCommon16–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.36% in Feb
Little GrebeTachybaptus ruficollisResidentCommon23–29 cmRecorded all year · 0.34% in Feb
European Green WoodpeckerPicus viridisResidentUncommon30–36 cmRecorded all year · 0.32% in Feb
Rock PipitAnthus petrosusResidentCommon16–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.32% in Feb
Common KingfisherAlcedo atthisWinter visitorCommon16–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.31% in Feb
PochardAythya ferinaWinter visitorUncommon42–49 cmRegularly Aug–Jun · 0.28% in Feb
Northern PintailAnas acutaWinter visitorUncommon59–76 cmRegularly Sep–Mar · 0.28% in Feb
Eurasian SpoonbillPlatalea leucorodiaResidentUncommon80–90 cmRecorded all year · 0.27% in Feb
FieldfareTurdus pilarisWinter visitorCommon22–27 cmRegularly Oct–Mar · 0.26% in Feb
Water RailRallus aquaticusWinter visitorUncommon23–28 cmRecorded all year · 0.26% in Feb
FirecrestRegulus ignicapillaResidentUncommon9–10 cmRecorded all year · 0.24% in Feb
Common LoonGavia immerWinter visitorCommon66–91 cmRegularly Nov–May · 0.23% in Feb
Black-necked GrebePodiceps nigricollisWinter visitorUncommon28–34 cmRegularly Sep–Mar · 0.23% in Feb
BlackcapSylvia atricapillaSummer visitorCommon13–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.22% in Feb
YellowhammerEmberiza citrinellaResidentCommon16–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.21% in Feb
Grey PloverPluvialis squatarolaWinter visitorUncommon27–30 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.20% in Feb
Red KiteMilvus milvusResidentUncommon60–66 cmRecorded all year · 0.20% in Feb
Green SandpiperTringa ochropusWinter visitorCommon21–24 cmRegularly Jun–Apr · 0.19% in Feb
Bar-tailed GodwitLimosa lapponicaResidentUncommon37–41 cmRecorded all year · 0.19% in Feb
Egyptian GooseAlopochen aegyptiacaResidentUncommon63–73 cmRecorded all year · 0.19% in Feb
GoldeneyeBucephala clangulaWinter visitorUncommon40–51 cmRegularly Nov–Mar · 0.18% in Feb
TreecreeperCerthia familiarisResidentUncommon12–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.16% in Feb
Spotted RedshankTringa erythropusWinter visitorUncommon29–31 cmRegularly Jun–Apr · 0.13% in Feb
Red-legged PartridgeAlectoris rufaResidentUncommon32–34 cmRecorded all year · 0.12% in Feb
Common ScoterMelanitta nigraResidentUncommon43–54 cmRecorded all year · 0.10% in Feb
Golden PloverPluvialis apricariaWinter visitorUncommon26–29 cmRegularly Aug–Mar · 0.10% in Feb
Great White EgretArdea albaResidentUncommon80–104 cmRecorded all year · 0.10% in Feb
Horned GrebePodiceps auritusWinter visitorUncommon31–38 cmRegularly Nov–Mar · 0.10% in Feb
Northern GannetMorus bassanusResidentUncommon87–100 cmRecorded all year · 0.10% in Feb
Ringed PloverCharadrius hiaticulaSummer visitorCommon17–19 cmRecorded all year · 0.10% in Feb
WoodlarkLullula arboreaResidentUncommon15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.10% in Feb
Common RedpollAcanthis flammeaWinter visitorUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.09% in Feb
SanderlingCalidris albaResidentUncommon18–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.09% in Feb
Marsh TitPoecile palustrisResidentUncommon12–13 cmRecorded all year · 0.09% in Feb
FulmarFulmarus glacialisResidentUncommon45–50 cmRegularly Nov–Sep · 0.09% in Feb
White-tailed Sea-eagleHaliaeetus albicillaResidentUncommon66–94 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in Feb
Black RedstartPhoenicurus ochrurosWinter visitorUncommon13–15 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.08% in Feb
Bearded TitPanurus biarmicusResidentUncommon13–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in Feb
Barn OwlTyto albaResidentUncommon33–39 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in Feb
RazorbillAlca tordaResidentUncommon38–43 cmRegularly Sep–Jul · 0.08% in Feb
Tawny OwlStrix alucoResidentUncommon37–43 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in Feb
Cattle EgretArdea ibisWinter visitorUncommon46–56 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.07% in Feb
Corn BuntingEmberiza calandraResidentUncommon16–19 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in Feb
Purple SandpiperCalidris maritimaWinter visitorUncommon20–22 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.07% in Feb
Red CrossbillLoxia curvirostraResidentUncommon15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in Feb
Jack SnipeLymnocryptes minimusWinter visitorUncommon17–19 cmRegularly Oct–Mar · 0.06% in Feb
Eurasian WoodcockScolopax rusticolaWinter visitorUncommon33–38 cmRegularly Oct–Jun · 0.06% in Feb
Red KnotCalidris canutusWinter visitorUncommon23–26 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.06% in Feb
MerlinFalco columbariusWinter visitorUncommon24–33 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.05% in Feb
Common MerganserMergus merganserWinter visitorUncommon58–68 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.05% in Feb
EiderSomateria mollissimaWinter visitorUncommon50–71 cmRegularly Sep–Jun · 0.05% in Feb
RuffCalidris pugnaxWinter visitorUncommon20–32 cmRegularly Aug–Mar · 0.05% in Feb
Water PipitAnthus spinolettaWinter visitorUncommon15–17 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.05% in Feb
Greater ScaupAythya marilaWinter visitorUncommon39–56 cmRegularly Oct–Feb · 0.05% in Feb
BramblingFringilla montifringillaWinter visitorUncommon14–16 cmRegularly Oct–Mar · 0.04% in Feb
Little OwlAthene noctuaResidentUncommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Feb
Arctic LoonGavia arcticaWinter visitorUncommon58–77 cmRegularly Nov–May · 0.03% in Feb
KittiwakeRissa tridactylaSummer visitorUncommon37–41 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Feb
Mandarin DuckAix galericulataResidentRare41–49 cmRegularly Feb–Aug · 0.03% in Feb
Short-eared OwlAsio flammeusResidentUncommon34–43 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.03% in Feb
Rose-ringed ParakeetPsittacula krameriWinter visitorRare38–42 cmRegularly Sep–Mar · 0.03% in Feb
Grey PartridgePerdix perdixWinter visitorRare28–32 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.03% in Feb
Red-throated LoonGavia stellataWinter visitorUncommon53–69 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.03% in Feb
Yellow-legged GullLarus michahellisSummer visitorUncommon52–68 cmRegularly Apr–Feb · 0.02% in Feb
DipperCinclus cinclusResidentRare17–20 cmRegularly Jan–Oct · 0.01% in Feb
Red-necked GrebePodiceps grisegenaWinter visitorUncommon40–50 cmRegularly Nov–Mar · 0.01% in Feb
Whooper SwanCygnus cygnusWinter visitorRare140–165 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.01% in Feb
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