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 185–207 of 209 species
Tawny Owl
Strix alucoLC
A resident of Dorset's mature woodlands, heard more often than seen. Its familiar hooting call carries through the county's valleys on still nights.
Year-round
Tree Pipit
Anthus trivialisLC
An uncommon summer visitor breeding on Dorset's heathlands and woodland clearings. Distinguished from Meadow Pipit by its parachuting song flight from trees.
Apr–Sep
Treecreeper
Certhia familiarisLC
A quiet, unobtrusive resident that spirals up tree trunks in Dorset's woodlands and mature hedgerows, easily overlooked despite being present year-round.
Year-round
Tufted Duck
Aythya fuligulaLC
An uncommon resident breeding on lakes and reservoirs across the county. Winter flocks gather on larger water bodies with good diving habitat.
Year-round
Tundra Bean Goose
Anser serrirostrisLC
A rare midwinter visitor in January and December, occasionally turning up on wet grassland and flooded fields among other wintering geese.
Dec–Jan
Velvet Scoter
Melanitta fuscaVU
A rare non-breeding visitor to offshore waters from October to January. Best looked for from Portland Bill among Common Scoter flocks.
Oct–Jan
Water Pipit
Anthus spinolettaLC
A rare winter visitor to Dorset's watercress beds and wetland margins, most likely seen between November and February.
Nov–Feb
Water Rail
Rallus aquaticusLC
An uncommon but year-round resident of Dorset's reedbeds and marshes, more often heard squealing than seen at sites like Radipole.
Year-round
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Western Marsh-harrier
Circus aeruginosusLC
Resident year-round, quartering reedbeds and marshes at Arne, Radipole, and across Poole Harbour. Numbers have increased in recent decades.
Year-round
Wheatear
Oenanthe oenantheLC
An uncommon summer breeder on coastal grassland and downland, arriving from March. Often bobs on fence posts along the Jurassic Coast and Purbeck.
Mar–Oct
Whimbrel
Numenius phaeopusLC
An uncommon passage visitor, most often seen on Dorset's estuaries and coastal fields during spring and autumn migration.
Apr–Oct
Whinchat
Saxicola rubetraLC
A rare visitor seen mainly on passage in spring and autumn, favouring rough grassland and heathland edges. Identified by its bold pale supercilium.
Apr–Oct
White-tailed Sea-eagle
Haliaeetus albicillaLC
A rare but exciting resident following reintroduction on the Isle of Purbeck. Occasionally seen soaring over Poole Harbour and surrounding areas.
Year-round
Whitethroat
Curruca communisLC
An uncommon summer visitor breeding in Dorset's hedgerows and scrubby margins from April to September. Males deliver a scratchy song from exposed perches.
Apr–Sep
Whooper Swan
Cygnus cygnusLC
A rare passage visitor recorded in March, occasionally stopping on flooded fields or lakes during northward spring migration.
Mar
Willow Warbler
Phylloscopus trochilusLC
An uncommon summer breeder in Dorset's woodlands and scrubby heaths from March to October. Its gentle descending song is a hallmark of spring.
Mar–Oct
Wood Sandpiper
Tringa glareolaLC
A rare passage migrant in late summer, occasionally stopping at Dorset's freshwater scrapes and flooded fields.
Jul–Sep
Woodchat Shrike
Lanius senatorNT
A rare spring overshoot from southern Europe, occasionally appearing at Dorset's coastal sites in May. A striking, boldly patterned shrike.
May
Woodlark
Lullula arboreaLC
A rare resident favouring Dorset's lowland heaths and forest clearings. Sings its melodious descending song from treetops, mainly in spring.
Jan–Oct
Woodpigeon
Columba palumbusLC
An abundant resident seen in virtually every habitat across Dorset, from town centres to deep woodland.
Year-round
Wryneck
Jynx torquillaLC
A rare autumn passage migrant, most likely at coastal sites like Portland in September. Once bred in Britain but now only an occasional visitor.
Sep
Yellow Wagtail
Motacilla flavaLC
An uncommon summer breeder favouring damp meadows and arable fields. Declining nationally; arrives from April and departs by October.
Apr–Oct
Yellow-browed Warbler
Phylloscopus inornatusLC
A rare but eagerly sought autumn passage migrant, typically appearing at Portland Bill in October. A Siberian waif with a bold supercilium.
Oct