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 116–138 of 209 species
Kestrel
Falco tinnunculusLC
A common resident, frequently seen hovering over Dorset's roadside verges, chalk downland and coastal cliffs while hunting for voles.
Year-round
Kittiwake
Rissa tridactylaVU
Present year-round but now rare, reflecting steep national declines. Breeds on Dorset's sea cliffs and is often seen from Portland Bill.
Year-round
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Larus fuscusLC
A common resident present all year, breeding on rooftops and coastal cliffs. Numbers peak in summer with many birds heading south in winter.
Year-round
Lesser Whitethroat
Curruca currucaLC
A rare summer breeder in Dorset's tall hedgerows and scrubby thickets from April to September. Its rattling song is distinctive but easily overlooked.
Apr–Sep
Linnet
Linaria cannabinaLC
Common on Dorset's heathlands, coastal scrub and farmland, often forming large flocks on stubble fields in winter.
Year-round
Little Auk
Alle alleLC
A rare November visitor, sometimes driven close to shore by autumn gales. This tiny Arctic auk is an exciting find off the Dorset coast.
Nov
Little Egret
Egretta garzettaLC
A common resident of estuaries, harbours and marshes, now well established across Dorset since colonising in the 1990s.
Year-round
Little Grebe
Tachybaptus ruficollisLC
An uncommon resident found on ponds, lakes, and sheltered waterways year-round. Often heard before seen, giving a distinctive trilling call.
Year-round
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Little Gull
Hydrocoloeus minutusLC
A rare but regular visitor to Dorset's harbours and coast, most often seen during spring and autumn passage. Absent in midsummer.
Aug–May
Little Owl
Athene noctuaLC
A scarce year-round resident of Dorset's farmland and parkland, often perching on fence posts. Numbers have declined significantly in recent decades.
Year-round
Little Ringed Plover
Charadrius dubiusLC
A rare breeding visitor from March to August, favouring gravel pits and reservoir margins around Dorset's inland wetlands.
Mar–Aug
Little Stint
Calidris minutaLC
A rare autumn passage migrant, occasionally found among Dunlin flocks on Dorset's coastal scrapes and mudflats.
Aug–Oct
Little Tern
Sternula albifronsLC
A rare breeding summer visitor from April to August, nesting on shingle beaches. Highly vulnerable to disturbance and habitat loss.
Apr–Aug
Long-tailed Duck
Clangula hyemalisVU
A rare winter visitor to Dorset's coastal waters, occasionally seen in Poole Harbour or off Portland during harsh weather.
Nov–Mar
Long-tailed Tit
Aegithalos caudatusLC
A common and endearing resident, roaming Dorset's hedgerows and woodlands in noisy family flocks. Its long tail makes it unmistakable.
Year-round
Magpie
Pica picaLC
A common and conspicuous resident throughout Dorset, found in gardens, farmland and hedgerows. Its bold black-and-white plumage is unmistakable.
Year-round
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchosLC
A common and familiar resident found year-round on virtually any freshwater habitat, from town park ponds to coastal marshes and rivers.
Year-round
Mandarin Duck
Aix galericulataLC
A rare non-breeding visitor to wooded lakes and rivers, mainly in winter and spring. This striking duck favours sheltered, tree-lined waterways.
Dec–May
Manx Shearwater
Puffinus puffinusLC
A rare breeding-season visitor seen offshore from Portland Bill during seawatches, mainly April to September as birds pass along the Channel.
Apr–Sep
Marsh Tit
Poecile palustrisLC
A scarce but faithful resident of Dorset's mature deciduous woodlands. Declining nationally, making the county's populations increasingly important.
Year-round
Meadow Pipit
Anthus pratensisLC
A common resident of Dorset's heathlands, downland, and coastal grassland. Numbers increase in winter as birds move from upland areas to lower ground.
Year-round
Merlin
Falco columbariusLC
A scarce winter visitor to Dorset's heathlands and open coast, arriving from autumn. This compact falcon dashes low in pursuit of small birds.
Sep–Mar
Mistle Thrush
Turdus viscivorusLC
An uncommon resident that sings boldly from treetops even in midwinter. Favours parkland, orchards, and open woodland edges across Dorset.
Year-round