Birds to See in Dorset in September
171 bird species on our list for Dorset are recorded regularly in September
Of these, the most often recorded are Woodpigeon, Carrion Crow, European Herring Gull, European Robin and Black-headed Gull. New this month: Brent Goose, Northern Pintail, Razorbill and Black-necked Grebe and 12 more.
On the move in September
GBIF · SepArriving
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 171 birds in September
171 birds
WoodpigeonColumba palumbusResidentCommon40–42 cmRecorded all year · 3.02% in Sep
Carrion CrowCorvus coroneResidentCommon45–47 cmRecorded all year · 2.79% in Sep
European Herring GullLarus argentatusResidentCommon55–67 cmRecorded all year · 2.67% in Sep
European RobinErithacus rubeculaResidentCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 2.64% in Sep
Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundusResidentCommon38–44 cmRecorded all year · 2.37% in Sep
Barn SwallowHirundo rusticaSummer visitorCommon17–19 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 2.30% in Sep
ChiffchaffPhylloscopus collybitaSummer visitorCommon10–12 cmRecorded all year · 2.23% in Sep
MagpiePica picaResidentCommon44–46 cmRecorded all year · 2.08% in Sep
Great CormorantPhalacrocorax carboResidentCommon80–100 cmRecorded all year · 1.93% in Sep
Little EgretEgretta garzettaResidentCommon55–65 cmRecorded all year · 1.93% in Sep
Blue TitCyanistes caeruleusResidentCommon11–12 cmRecorded all year · 1.75% in Sep
MallardAnas platyrhynchosResidentCommon50–65 cmRecorded all year · 1.74% in Sep
JackdawColoeus monedulaResidentCommon34–39 cmRecorded all year · 1.70% in Sep
Common StarlingSturnus vulgarisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 1.69% in Sep
Grey HeronArdea cinereaResidentCommon90–98 cmRecorded all year · 1.65% in Sep
Great TitParus majorResidentCommonRecorded all year · 1.62% in Sep
European GoldfinchCarduelis carduelisResidentCommon12–13 cmRecorded all year · 1.52% in Sep
BlackbirdTurdus merulaResidentCommon24–25 cmRecorded all year · 1.50% in Sep
Eurasian WrenTroglodytes troglodytesResidentCommon9–10 cmRecorded all year · 1.47% in Sep
Pied WagtailMotacilla albaResidentCommon17–19 cmRecorded all year · 1.42% in Sep
Black-tailed GodwitLimosa limosaResidentCommon40–44 cmRecorded all year · 1.36% in Sep
Meadow PipitAnthus pratensisResidentCommon14–15 cmRecorded all year · 1.31% in Sep
Eurasian TealAnas creccaWinter visitorCommon34–38 cmRecorded all year · 1.26% in Sep
Mute SwanCygnus olorResidentCommon140–160 cmRecorded all year · 1.24% in Sep
Great Black-backed GullLarus marinusResidentCommon64–79 cmRecorded all year · 1.24% in Sep
KestrelFalco tinnunculusResidentCommon32–39 cmRecorded all year · 1.21% in Sep
StonechatSaxicola rubicolaResidentCommon12–13 cmRecorded all year · 1.15% in Sep
DunnockPrunella modularisResidentCommon14–15 cmRecorded all year · 1.14% in Sep
Canada GooseBranta canadensisResidentCommon76–110 cmRecorded all year · 1.12% in Sep
BuzzardButeo buteoResidentCommon51–57 cmRecorded all year · 1.12% in Sep
House MartinDelichon urbicumSummer visitorCommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 1.09% in Sep
DunlinCalidris alpinaResidentCommon16–22 cmRecorded all year · 1.04% in Sep
House SparrowPasser domesticusResidentCommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 1.04% in Sep
MoorhenGallinula chloropusResidentCommon30–38 cmRecorded all year · 1.03% in Sep
RedshankTringa totanusResidentCommon27–29 cmRecorded all year · 0.99% in Sep
Long-tailed TitAegithalos caudatusResidentCommon13–16 cmRecorded all year · 0.95% in Sep
LinnetLinaria cannabinaResidentCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.94% in Sep
ChaffinchFringilla coelebsResidentCommon14–16 cmRecorded all year · 0.91% in Sep
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscusResidentCommon52–64 cmRecorded all year · 0.90% in Sep
Eurasian OystercatcherHaematopus ostralegusResidentCommon40–45 cmRecorded all year · 0.89% in Sep
Common RavenCorvus coraxResidentCommon54–67 cmRecorded all year · 0.88% in Sep
BlackcapSylvia atricapillaSummer visitorCommon13–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.85% in Sep
Northern LapwingVanellus vanellusResidentCommon28–31 cmRecorded all year · 0.85% in Sep
WheatearOenanthe oenantheSummer visitorCommon15–16 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.85% in Sep
RookCorvus frugilegusResidentCommon45–47 cmRecorded all year · 0.83% in Sep
Rock DoveColumba liviaResidentCommon29–37 cmRecorded all year · 0.81% in Sep
Cetti's WarblerCettia cettiResidentCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.80% in Sep
GreenshankTringa nebulariaWinter visitorCommon30–35 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.78% in Sep
Sandwich TernThalasseus sandvicensisSummer visitorCommon36–41 cmRegularly Mar–Jan · 0.76% in Sep
Grey WagtailMotacilla cinereaWinter visitorCommon17–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.74% in Sep
Eurasian JayGarrulus glandariusResidentCommon32–35 cmRecorded all year · 0.73% in Sep
CurlewNumenius arquataResidentCommon50–60 cmRecorded all year · 0.73% in Sep
Common KingfisherAlcedo atthisWinter visitorCommon16–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.72% in Sep
CootFulica atraResidentCommon36–42 cmRecorded all year · 0.72% in Sep
SparrowhawkAccipiter nisusResidentCommon28–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.70% in Sep
Ringed PloverCharadrius hiaticulaSummer visitorCommon17–19 cmRecorded all year · 0.69% in Sep
Eurasian WigeonMareca penelopeWinter visitorCommon42–51 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.65% in Sep
Yellow WagtailMotacilla flavaPassage migrantCommon15–17 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.64% in Sep
Stock DoveColumba oenasResidentCommon32–34 cmRecorded all year · 0.63% in Sep
Great Spotted WoodpeckerDendrocopos majorResidentCommon23–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.62% in Sep
Eurasian Collared DoveStreptopelia decaoctoResidentCommon30–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.62% in Sep
Western Marsh-harrierCircus aeruginosusResidentCommon48–56 cmRecorded all year · 0.62% in Sep
Common SandpiperActitis hypoleucosSummer visitorCommon18–20 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.61% in Sep
GreenfinchChloris chlorisResidentCommon15–16 cmRecorded all year · 0.56% in Sep
GadwallMareca streperaResidentCommon46–56 cmRecorded all year · 0.55% in Sep
OspreyPandion haliaetusSummer visitorCommon54–58 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.53% in Sep
Great Crested GrebePodiceps cristatusResidentCommon46–51 cmRecorded all year · 0.52% in Sep
Coal TitPeriparus aterResidentCommon10–12 cmRecorded all year · 0.51% in Sep
GoldcrestRegulus regulusResidentCommon9–10 cmRecorded all year · 0.50% in Sep
Green SandpiperTringa ochropusWinter visitorCommon21–24 cmRegularly Jun–Apr · 0.50% in Sep
Common SnipeGallinago gallinagoWinter visitorCommon25–27 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.47% in Sep
Mediterranean GullIchthyaetus melanocephalusResidentCommon37–40 cmRecorded all year · 0.46% in Sep
Sand MartinRiparia ripariaSummer visitorCommon12–14 cmRegularly Mar–Sep · 0.46% in Sep
Eurasian NuthatchSitta europaeaResidentCommon12–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.45% in Sep
Common PheasantPhasianus colchicusResidentCommon50–90 cmRecorded all year · 0.45% in Sep
Water RailRallus aquaticusWinter visitorUncommon23–28 cmRecorded all year · 0.45% in Sep
Willow WarblerPhylloscopus trochilusSummer visitorCommon11–13 cmRegularly Mar–Sep · 0.43% in Sep
Spotted FlycatcherMuscicapa striataSummer visitorUncommon14–16 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.43% in Sep
WhitethroatCurruca communisSummer visitorCommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.41% in Sep
Great White EgretArdea albaResidentUncommon80–104 cmRecorded all year · 0.41% in Sep
Northern ShovelerSpatula clypeataWinter visitorCommon44–51 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.40% in Sep
Common ShelduckTadorna tadornaResidentCommon58–67 cmRecorded all year · 0.39% in Sep
Reed BuntingEmberiza schoeniclusResidentCommon14–16 cmRecorded all year · 0.37% in Sep
Tufted DuckAythya fuligulaResidentCommon40–47 cmRecorded all year · 0.37% in Sep
Peregrine FalconFalco peregrinusResidentUncommon34–58 cmRecorded all year · 0.34% in Sep
Ruddy TurnstoneArenaria interpresWinter visitorCommon21–24 cmRecorded all year · 0.34% in Sep
Rock PipitAnthus petrosusResidentCommon16–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.34% in Sep
Northern GannetMorus bassanusResidentUncommon87–100 cmRecorded all year · 0.33% in Sep
WhinchatSaxicola rubetraPassage migrantUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.33% in Sep
Eurasian SiskinSpinus spinusResidentCommon11–13 cmRecorded all year · 0.33% in Sep
Eurasian SpoonbillPlatalea leucorodiaResidentUncommon80–90 cmRecorded all year · 0.33% in Sep
Bar-tailed GodwitLimosa lapponicaResidentUncommon37–41 cmRecorded all year · 0.31% in Sep
European ShagGulosus aristotelisResidentCommon65–80 cmRecorded all year · 0.31% in Sep
Curlew SandpiperCalidris ferrugineaPassage migrantUncommon18–23 cmRegularly Aug–Oct · 0.30% in Sep
Little GrebeTachybaptus ruficollisResidentCommon23–29 cmRecorded all year · 0.29% in Sep
European Green WoodpeckerPicus viridisResidentUncommon30–36 cmRecorded all year · 0.28% in Sep
Red KnotCalidris canutusWinter visitorUncommon23–26 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.28% in Sep
Greylag GooseAnser anserResidentUncommon75–90 cmRecorded all year · 0.26% in Sep
RuffCalidris pugnaxWinter visitorUncommon20–32 cmRegularly Aug–Mar · 0.25% in Sep
Spotted RedshankTringa erythropusWinter visitorUncommon29–31 cmRegularly Jun–Apr · 0.24% in Sep
Eurasian SkylarkAlauda arvensisSummer visitorCommon16–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.24% in Sep
HobbyFalco subbuteoSummer visitorUncommon28–35 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.24% in Sep
AvocetRecurvirostra avosettaWinter visitorCommon42–45 cmRecorded all year · 0.22% in Sep
Common Reed-warblerAcrocephalus scirpaceusSummer visitorCommon13–14 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.22% in Sep
Common GullLarus canusWinter visitorCommon40–46 cmRecorded all year · 0.22% in Sep
Northern PintailAnas acutaWinter visitorUncommon59–76 cmRegularly Sep–Mar · 0.21% in Sep
Egyptian GooseAlopochen aegyptiacaResidentUncommon63–73 cmRecorded all year · 0.20% in Sep
Song ThrushTurdus philomelosResidentCommon20–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.20% in Sep
SanderlingCalidris albaResidentUncommon18–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.20% in Sep
BullfinchPyrrhula pyrrhulaResidentCommon15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.19% in Sep
FirecrestRegulus ignicapillaResidentUncommon9–10 cmRecorded all year · 0.19% in Sep
TreecreeperCerthia familiarisResidentUncommon12–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.18% in Sep
Cattle EgretArdea ibisWinter visitorUncommon46–56 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.17% in Sep
Common RedstartPhoenicurus phoenicurusSummer visitorUncommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.16% in Sep
Little StintCalidris minutaPassage migrantUncommon13–15 cmRegularly Aug–Oct · 0.15% in Sep
Sedge WarblerAcrocephalus schoenobaenusSummer visitorUncommon12–13 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.15% in Sep
Tree PipitAnthus trivialisSummer visitorUncommon14–16 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.15% in Sep
Tawny OwlStrix alucoResidentUncommon37–43 cmRecorded all year · 0.14% in Sep
Little OwlAthene noctuaResidentUncommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in Sep
PochardAythya ferinaWinter visitorUncommon42–49 cmRegularly Aug–Jun · 0.13% in Sep
White-tailed Sea-eagleHaliaeetus albicillaResidentUncommon66–94 cmRecorded all year · 0.12% in Sep
YellowhammerEmberiza citrinellaResidentCommon16–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.12% in Sep
Common ScoterMelanitta nigraResidentUncommon43–54 cmRecorded all year · 0.12% in Sep
WhimbrelNumenius phaeopusPassage migrantCommon40–46 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.12% in Sep
Balearic ShearwaterPuffinus mauretanicusSummer visitorUncommon35–40 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.11% in Sep
Common TernSterna hirundoSummer visitorCommon31–35 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.11% in Sep
Mistle ThrushTurdus viscivorusResidentUncommon26–29 cmRecorded all year · 0.10% in Sep
Yellow-legged GullLarus michahellisSummer visitorUncommon52–68 cmRegularly Apr–Feb · 0.10% in Sep
Grey PloverPluvialis squatarolaWinter visitorUncommon27–30 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.10% in Sep
Red KiteMilvus milvusResidentUncommon60–66 cmRecorded all year · 0.09% in Sep
Bearded TitPanurus biarmicusResidentUncommon13–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.09% in Sep
Brent GooseBranta berniclaWinter visitorCommon55–66 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.08% in Sep
KittiwakeRissa tridactylaSummer visitorUncommon37–41 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in Sep
Red-backed ShrikeLanius collurioPassage migrantUncommon16–18 cmRegularly Sep · 0.06% in Sep
FulmarFulmarus glacialisResidentUncommon45–50 cmRegularly Nov–Sep · 0.06% in Sep
Arctic JaegerStercorarius parasiticusSummer visitorUncommon41–46 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.05% in Sep
Lesser WhitethroatCurruca currucaSummer visitorUncommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.05% in Sep
Grasshopper WarblerLocustella naeviaPassage migrantUncommon12–13 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.05% in Sep
European Pied FlycatcherFicedula hypoleucaPassage migrantUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.05% in Sep
WryneckJynx torquillaPassage migrantRare16–18 cmRegularly Sep · 0.05% in Sep
Black SwanCygnus atratusSummer visitorUncommon110–142 cmRegularly Mar–Jan · 0.04% in Sep
Wood SandpiperTringa glareolaPassage migrantUncommon19–21 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.04% in Sep
Pectoral SandpiperCalidris melanotosPassage migrantRare19–23 cmRegularly Sep · 0.04% in Sep
WoodlarkLullula arboreaResidentUncommon15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Sep
Garden WarblerSylvia borinSummer visitorUncommon14–15 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.04% in Sep
RazorbillAlca tordaResidentUncommon38–43 cmRegularly Sep–Jul · 0.04% in Sep
Common RedpollAcanthis flammeaWinter visitorUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.03% in Sep
Barn OwlTyto albaResidentUncommon33–39 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Sep
Golden PloverPluvialis apricariaWinter visitorUncommon26–29 cmRegularly Aug–Mar · 0.03% in Sep
Marsh TitPoecile palustrisResidentUncommon12–13 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Sep
Whooper SwanCygnus cygnusWinter visitorRare140–165 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.03% in Sep
Manx ShearwaterPuffinus puffinusSummer visitorUncommon30–38 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.03% in Sep
Red-legged PartridgeAlectoris rufaResidentUncommon32–34 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Sep
Red CrossbillLoxia curvirostraResidentUncommon15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Sep
MerlinFalco columbariusWinter visitorUncommon24–33 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.03% in Sep
Black-necked GrebePodiceps nigricollisWinter visitorUncommon28–34 cmRegularly Sep–Mar · 0.02% in Sep
NightjarCaprimulgus europaeusSummer visitorUncommon24–28 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.02% in Sep
Corn BuntingEmberiza calandraResidentUncommon16–19 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Sep
Great SkuaStercorarius skuaPassage migrantRare50–58 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.02% in Sep
Sooty ShearwaterArdenna griseaPassage migrantRare40–51 cmRegularly Sep–Oct · 0.02% in Sep
EiderSomateria mollissimaWinter visitorUncommon50–71 cmRegularly Sep–Jun · 0.02% in Sep
Short-eared OwlAsio flammeusResidentUncommon34–43 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.02% in Sep
Barnacle GooseBranta leucopsisResidentRare58–70 cmRegularly Apr–Jan · 0.01% in Sep
European Honey-buzzardPernis apivorusPassage migrantRare52–60 cmRegularly Aug–Sep · 0.01% in Sep
DipperCinclus cinclusResidentRare17–20 cmRegularly Jan–Oct · 0.01% in Sep
European Turtle-doveStreptopelia turturPassage migrantRare26–28 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.01% in Sep
GarganeySpatula querquedulaPassage migrantUncommon37–41 cmRegularly Mar–Sep · 0.01% in Sep
Grey PartridgePerdix perdixWinter visitorRare28–32 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.01% in Sep
Glossy IbisPlegadis falcinellusResidentRare48–66 cmRegularly Sep–Oct · 0.01% in Sep
Little GullHydrocoloeus minutusPassage migrantUncommon25–30 cmRegularly Jan–Oct · 0.01% in Sep
Rose-ringed ParakeetPsittacula krameriWinter visitorRare38–42 cmRegularly Sep–Mar · 0.00% in Sep
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