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 24–46 of 209 species
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
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
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
Cattle Egret
Bubulcus ibisLC
A rare but increasingly established resident, often seen among livestock on Dorset's pastures as the species colonises southern England.
Jul–May
Cetti's Warbler
Cettia cettiLC
An uncommon but increasing resident of Dorset's reedbeds and dense waterside scrub. More often heard than seen, with an explosive burst of song.
Year-round
Chaffinch
Fringilla coelebsLC
A common resident found in woodlands, hedgerows and gardens throughout Dorset, with numbers boosted by continental birds in winter.
Year-round
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
Coal Tit
Periparus aterLC
A year-round resident favouring Dorset's coniferous and mixed woodlands. Regularly visits garden feeders, especially in winter months.
Year-round
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Common Gull
Larus canusLC
An uncommon resident found year-round on playing fields, farmland, and coastal areas. Numbers increase in winter with Continental arrivals.
Year-round
Common Kingfisher
Alcedo atthisLC
Found year-round along Dorset's rivers, streams and sheltered harbours. A flash of electric blue darting low over water is often the first sign.
Year-round
Common Loon
Gavia immerLC
Uncommon but present mainly in winter months in Dorset's bays and harbours. Portland Harbour is a favoured site for this impressive diver.
Nov–May
Common Merganser
Mergus merganserLC
A rare winter visitor to Dorset's rivers and lakes, occasionally seen on the Stour or Frome between October and March.
Oct–Mar
Common Pheasant
Phasianus colchicusLC
A common resident across Dorset's farmland, woodland edges and hedgerows, widely released for shooting throughout the county.
Year-round
Common Quail
Coturnix coturnixLC
A rare summer passage visitor, occasionally heard calling from cereal fields on the Dorset downs in June and July.
Jun–Jul
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
Common Redpoll
Acanthis flammeaLC
A rare non-breeding visitor, occasionally found in birch and alder stands from autumn through to early spring.
Sep–Apr
Common Redstart
Phoenicurus phoenicurusLC
A rare breeding visitor to Dorset's mature oak woodlands, arriving in April. The male's fiery orange tail is unmistakable in dappled shade.
Apr–Sep
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
Common Sandpiper
Actitis hypoleucosLC
An uncommon resident, bobbing along Dorset's rivers, reservoirs and harbour edges throughout much of the year.
Jan–Nov
Common Scoter
Melanitta nigraLC
Scarce year-round off the Dorset coast, often seen as distant dark rafts on the sea from Portland Bill and Durlston.
Year-round
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
Common Snipe
Gallinago gallinagoLC
An uncommon non-breeding visitor to Dorset's wet meadows and marshes, present mainly from autumn through to spring.
Aug–Apr
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