Birds in Dorset
Explore 209 species found in this region.
Dorset is one of southern England's most rewarding counties for birdwatching, with 207 recorded species found across its diverse landscapes. From the sheltered harbours of Poole and the Fleet lagoon to the ancient heathlands and chalk downlands, the county supports an impressive range of birdlife including Eurasian Woodcock, Great Grey Shrike, and wintering flocks of Northern Lapwing and Northern Pintail. The Jurassic Coast and its surrounding wetlands also provide vital staging grounds for migrating waders such as Common Sandpiper and passage wildfowl like Common Shelduck and Mandarin Duck.
Visiting in April? Look out for Arctic Jaeger and Arctic Tern arriving this month, and Arctic Loon and Black-necked Grebe depart for the season.
Showing 208–209 of 209 species
Yellow-legged Gull
Larus michahellisLC
A rare but increasingly regular visitor, mainly from late summer into winter. Often found among flocks of Herring Gulls at Poole Harbour.
Mar–Dec
Yellowhammer
Emberiza citrinellaLC
An uncommon resident of farmland hedgerows and downland scrub, declining but still found across Dorset's rural landscape.
Year-round