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 139–161 of 209 species
Moorhen
Gallinula chloropusLC
A common resident of ponds, streams and wetlands throughout Dorset, often seen picking along muddy margins year-round.
Year-round
Mute Swan
Cygnus olorLC
A common and elegant resident on rivers, lakes and coastal lagoons throughout Dorset. Breeds on the Frome and Stour river systems.
Year-round
Nightingale
Luscinia megarhynchosLC
A rare passage visitor in May, occasionally heard singing in dense scrub. Dorset lies at the western fringe of its declining English breeding range.
May
Nightjar
Caprimulgus europaeusLC
An uncommon summer breeder on Dorset's lowland heaths, notably around Wareham and Arne. Best detected by its churring song at dusk.
May–Aug
Northern Gannet
Morus bassanusLC
Seen year-round offshore, often plunge-diving spectacularly. Portland Bill offers excellent views, with numbers peaking in late summer.
Year-round
Northern Goshawk
Accipiter gentilisLC
A rare visitor, occasionally seen near Dorset's larger forests in late winter and spring. This powerful, secretive raptor is expanding its UK range.
Dec–Apr
Northern Lapwing
Vanellus vanellusNT
An uncommon resident found year-round on Dorset's farmland and wet meadows, though declining nationally as a breeding species.
Year-round
Northern Pintail
Anas acutaLC
An uncommon non-breeding visitor from autumn to spring, favouring estuarine mudflats and flooded fields. Small groups winter around Poole Harbour.
Sep–Apr
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Northern Shoveler
Spatula clypeataLC
An uncommon resident on shallow wetlands and marshes. Numbers increase in winter at sites like Lodmoor and Radipole Lake RSPB reserves.
Year-round
Osprey
Pandion haliaetusLC
Breeds in Dorset as part of the Poole Harbour reintroduction project, present March to October. Often seen fishing over the harbour's waters.
Mar–Oct
Peregrine Falcon
Falco peregrinusLC
Resident year-round, nesting on Dorset's sea cliffs and occasionally buildings. Often seen hunting over Poole Harbour and the Jurassic Coast.
Year-round
Pochard
Aythya ferinaVU
An uncommon year-round resident on lakes and gravel pits, though nationally declining. Winter numbers are boosted by continental immigrants.
Year-round
Pomarine Jaeger
Stercorarius pomarinusLC
A rare spring passage migrant, occasionally spotted from Portland Bill and other headlands during May seawatches in favourable winds.
May
Purple Sandpiper
Calidris maritimaLC
A rare winter visitor to Dorset's rocky shores and breakwaters, favouring exposed Jurassic Coast ledges.
Nov–May
Razorbill
Alca tordaLC
An uncommon resident breeding on Dorset's sea cliffs, notably around Durlston and Portland. Present most of the year but scarce in August.
Sep–Jul
Red Crossbill
Loxia curvirostraLC
A rare resident of conifer plantations, with numbers varying greatly between years depending on irruptive movements.
Year-round
Red Kite
Milvus milvusLC
An uncommon but increasing resident, soaring over Dorset's farmland and valleys year-round. Part of the species' ongoing UK recovery.
Year-round
Red Knot
Calidris canutusNT
A rare visitor to Poole Harbour's mudflats, present in small numbers mainly outside the summer months.
Aug–May
Red-backed Shrike
Lanius collurioLC
A rare autumn passage migrant, most likely at Portland or other coastal headlands in September. Once bred in southern England.
Sep
Red-breasted Merganser
Mergus serratorLC
An uncommon winter visitor favouring sheltered coastal waters, regularly seen in Poole Harbour and around the Fleet lagoon.
Oct–Apr
Red-legged Partridge
Alectoris rufaNT
A rare resident of arable farmland and downland, largely sustained by game releases. Found year-round but thinly spread.
Year-round
Red-necked Grebe
Podiceps grisegenaLC
A rare winter visitor to Dorset's sheltered harbours and coastal waters, most likely seen between November and January in Poole Harbour or Portland.
Nov–Jan
Red-throated Loon
Gavia stellataLC
A rare winter visitor seen offshore or in Poole Harbour, typically between November and March. Often spotted from Portland Bill during seawatches.
Nov–Apr