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 162–184 of 209 species
Redshank
Tringa totanusLC
A common resident of Poole Harbour's saltmarshes and mudflats, its piping calls a familiar sound year-round.
Year-round
Redwing
Turdus iliacusNT
A winter visitor from Scandinavia, arriving from October and feeding in hedgerows and berry-laden fields. Often found alongside fieldfares in Dorset's farmland.
Oct–Mar
Reed Bunting
Emberiza schoeniclusLC
An uncommon resident of reedbeds and wet ditches, found at sites like Radipole Lake and Arne year-round.
Year-round
Ring Ouzel
Turdus torquatusLC
A rare passage migrant seen briefly in April and October, mainly along the Purbeck coast and downland. The male's white breast crescent is distinctive.
Oct–Apr
Ringed Plover
Charadrius hiaticulaLC
An uncommon resident breeding on shingle beaches and wintering on estuarine mudflats, with numbers boosted by autumn migrants.
Year-round
Rock Dove
Columba liviaLC
Common year-round in Dorset's towns and along coastal cliffs, where feral flocks mix with birds of varied plumage.
Year-round
Rock Pipit
Anthus petrosusLC
Resident along Dorset's rocky shores and cliffs, often seen foraging among seaweed at the tideline year-round.
Year-round
Rook
Corvus frugilegusLC
A common resident, forming large rookeries in Dorset's farmland trees. Noisy colonies are a familiar sight across the county's agricultural landscape.
Year-round
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Ruddy Duck
Oxyura jamaicensisLC
A rare passage visitor, now virtually extinct in the UK following an eradication programme. Occasional August records persist.
Aug
Ruddy Turnstone
Arenaria interpresLC
An uncommon resident along Dorset's rocky shores and harbour walls, flipping stones to find invertebrates.
Year-round
Ruff
Philomachus pugnaxLC
A rare non-breeding visitor to Dorset's coastal lagoons and wet grasslands, mainly in autumn and winter.
Aug–Mar
Sand Martin
Riparia ripariaLC
An uncommon summer breeder, arriving from March. Nests colonially in sandy riverbanks and cliffs, often seen hawking insects over Dorset's waterways.
Mar–Oct
Sanderling
Calidris albaLC
A rare but year-round visitor, scurrying along Dorset's sandy beaches at the tideline in small flocks.
Year-round
Sandwich Tern
Thalasseus sandvicensisLC
An uncommon but year-round presence along the Dorset coast. Often seen plunge-diving in Poole Harbour and around Studland Bay.
Year-round
Sedge Warbler
Acrocephalus schoenobaenusLC
An uncommon summer breeder in Dorset's wetlands and reedbeds from April to September. Its chattering song carries across marshes at Arne and Lodmoor.
Apr–Sep
Short-eared Owl
Asio flammeusLC
A rare passage visitor to Dorset's coastal marshes and heathlands, mainly seen in autumn and early winter. Hunts low over open ground by day.
Oct–Jan
Snow Bunting
Plectrophenax nivalisLC
A rare passage visitor, occasionally turning up on Dorset's shingle beaches and coastal fields in November and January.
Nov–Jan
Song Thrush
Turdus philomelosLC
A common resident heard singing from gardens and hedgerows across the county. Often spotted smashing snail shells on favourite stones.
Year-round
Sparrowhawk
Accipiter nisusLC
An uncommon but widespread resident, hunting small birds in Dorset's woodlands, hedgerows, and gardens with fast, agile dashes.
Year-round
Spotted Flycatcher
Muscicapa striataLC
An uncommon and declining summer breeder, arriving in May. Favours woodland edges and churchyards, sallying out from perches to catch insects.
May–Sep
Spotted Redshank
Tringa erythropusLC
A rare but regular visitor to Poole Harbour and Brownsea lagoon, most reliably seen during autumn passage.
Jun–Apr
Stock Dove
Columba oenasLC
An uncommon but widespread resident, nesting in old woodpecker holes in mature trees across Dorset's parkland and farmland.
Year-round
Stonechat
Saxicola torquatusLC
A common resident of Dorset's heathlands and coastal gorse, perching prominently and calling with a sharp 'tsak'. Thrives on Purbeck's heaths year-round.
Year-round