Birds to See in Essex in April
161 bird species on our list for Essex are recorded regularly in April
Of these, the most often recorded are Woodpigeon, Carrion Crow, Blue Tit, European Robin and Blackbird. New this month: Whitethroat, Barn Swallow, Common Swift and Common Tern and 22 more.
On the move in April
GBIF · AprArriving
At their peak
From Essex’s bird records, 2019–2024: arriving birds are regular this month but not last; leaving birds are regular this month but not next.
Other months
All 161 birds in April
161 birds
WoodpigeonColumba palumbusResidentCommon40–42 cmRecorded all year · 2.79% in Apr
Carrion CrowCorvus coroneResidentCommon45–47 cmRecorded all year · 2.46% in Apr
Blue TitCyanistes caeruleusResidentCommon11–12 cmRecorded all year · 2.42% in Apr
European RobinErithacus rubeculaResidentCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 2.39% in Apr
BlackbirdTurdus merulaResidentCommon24–25 cmRecorded all year · 2.29% in Apr
MagpiePica picaResidentCommon44–46 cmRecorded all year · 2.26% in Apr
ChiffchaffPhylloscopus collybitaSummer visitorCommon10–12 cmRecorded all year · 2.22% in Apr
MallardAnas platyrhynchosResidentCommon50–65 cmRecorded all year · 2.13% in Apr
Eurasian WrenTroglodytes troglodytesResidentCommon9–10 cmRecorded all year · 2.10% in Apr
Great TitParus majorResidentCommonRecorded all year · 2.04% in Apr
Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundusResidentCommon38–44 cmRecorded all year · 2.02% in Apr
European GoldfinchCarduelis carduelisResidentCommon12–13 cmRecorded all year · 1.99% in Apr
BlackcapSylvia atricapillaSummer visitorCommon13–15 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 1.86% in Apr
European Herring GullLarus argentatusResidentCommon55–67 cmRecorded all year · 1.70% in Apr
DunnockPrunella modularisResidentCommon14–15 cmRecorded all year · 1.68% in Apr
Common StarlingSturnus vulgarisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 1.62% in Apr
CootFulica atraResidentCommon36–42 cmRecorded all year · 1.57% in Apr
MoorhenGallinula chloropusResidentCommon30–38 cmRecorded all year · 1.57% in Apr
Eurasian SkylarkAlauda arvensisResidentCommon16–18 cmRecorded all year · 1.48% in Apr
JackdawColoeus monedulaResidentCommon34–39 cmRecorded all year · 1.47% in Apr
Common PheasantPhasianus colchicusResidentCommon50–90 cmRecorded all year · 1.47% in Apr
House SparrowPasser domesticusResidentCommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 1.41% in Apr
ChaffinchFringilla coelebsResidentCommon14–16 cmRecorded all year · 1.39% in Apr
Great CormorantPhalacrocorax carboResidentCommon80–100 cmRecorded all year · 1.37% in Apr
Canada GooseBranta canadensisResidentCommon76–110 cmRecorded all year · 1.37% in Apr
Pied WagtailMotacilla albaResidentCommon17–19 cmRecorded all year · 1.34% in Apr
Mute SwanCygnus olorResidentCommon140–160 cmRecorded all year · 1.29% in Apr
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscusResidentCommon52–64 cmRecorded all year · 1.28% in Apr
Tufted DuckAythya fuligulaResidentCommon40–47 cmRecorded all year · 1.28% in Apr
BuzzardButeo buteoResidentCommon51–57 cmRecorded all year · 1.26% in Apr
Greylag GooseAnser anserResidentCommon75–90 cmRecorded all year · 1.25% in Apr
Eurasian Collared DoveStreptopelia decaoctoResidentCommon30–32 cmRecorded all year · 1.24% in Apr
Common ShelduckTadorna tadornaResidentCommon58–67 cmRecorded all year · 1.22% in Apr
Stock DoveColumba oenasResidentCommon32–34 cmRecorded all year · 1.16% in Apr
Cetti's WarblerCettia cettiResidentCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 1.15% in Apr
Little EgretEgretta garzettaResidentCommon55–65 cmRecorded all year · 1.15% in Apr
Long-tailed TitAegithalos caudatusResidentCommon13–16 cmRecorded all year · 1.15% in Apr
LinnetLinaria cannabinaResidentCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 1.14% in Apr
Barn SwallowHirundo rusticaSummer visitorCommon17–19 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 1.14% in Apr
Eurasian OystercatcherHaematopus ostralegusResidentCommon40–45 cmRecorded all year · 1.04% in Apr
KestrelFalco tinnunculusResidentCommon32–39 cmRecorded all year · 1.03% in Apr
Song ThrushTurdus philomelosResidentCommon20–23 cmRecorded all year · 1.02% in Apr
Grey HeronArdea cinereaResidentCommon90–98 cmRecorded all year · 1.01% in Apr
Great Crested GrebePodiceps cristatusResidentCommon46–51 cmRecorded all year · 0.99% in Apr
WhitethroatCurruca communisSummer visitorCommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.98% in Apr
Eurasian TealAnas creccaWinter visitorCommon34–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.94% in Apr
GadwallMareca streperaResidentCommon46–56 cmRecorded all year · 0.93% in Apr
GreenfinchChloris chlorisResidentCommon15–16 cmRecorded all year · 0.92% in Apr
European Green WoodpeckerPicus viridisResidentCommon30–36 cmRecorded all year · 0.90% in Apr
Reed BuntingEmberiza schoeniclusResidentCommon14–16 cmRecorded all year · 0.87% in Apr
PochardAythya ferinaResidentCommon42–49 cmRecorded all year · 0.86% in Apr
Little GrebeTachybaptus ruficollisResidentCommon23–29 cmRecorded all year · 0.85% in Apr
RookCorvus frugilegusResidentCommon45–47 cmRecorded all year · 0.82% in Apr
Northern ShovelerSpatula clypeataResidentCommon44–51 cmRecorded all year · 0.80% in Apr
Northern LapwingVanellus vanellusResidentCommon28–31 cmRecorded all year · 0.75% in Apr
RedshankTringa totanusResidentCommon27–29 cmRecorded all year · 0.75% in Apr
Eurasian JayGarrulus glandariusResidentCommon32–35 cmRecorded all year · 0.70% in Apr
Great Spotted WoodpeckerDendrocopos majorResidentCommon23–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.67% in Apr
Rock DoveColumba liviaResidentCommon29–37 cmRecorded all year · 0.66% in Apr
CurlewNumenius arquataResidentCommon50–60 cmRecorded all year · 0.65% in Apr
Western Marsh-harrierCircus aeruginosusResidentCommon48–56 cmRecorded all year · 0.59% in Apr
AvocetRecurvirostra avosettaResidentCommon42–45 cmRecorded all year · 0.59% in Apr
NightingaleLuscinia megarhynchosSummer visitorCommon15–17 cmRegularly Apr–Jul · 0.54% in Apr
Egyptian GooseAlopochen aegyptiacaResidentCommon63–73 cmRecorded all year · 0.53% in Apr
Mediterranean GullIchthyaetus melanocephalusResidentCommon37–40 cmRecorded all year · 0.52% in Apr
Sedge WarblerAcrocephalus schoenobaenusSummer visitorCommon12–13 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.50% in Apr
Sand MartinRiparia ripariaSummer visitorCommon12–14 cmRegularly Mar–Sep · 0.48% in Apr
Common TernSterna hirundoSummer visitorCommon31–35 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.48% in Apr
Black-tailed GodwitLimosa limosaResidentCommon40–44 cmRecorded all year · 0.47% in Apr
Little Ringed PloverThinornis dubiusSummer visitorUncommon14–17 cmRegularly Mar–Sep · 0.45% in Apr
Yellow WagtailMotacilla flavaSummer visitorCommon15–17 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.45% in Apr
Lesser WhitethroatCurruca currucaSummer visitorCommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.45% in Apr
Meadow PipitAnthus pratensisWinter visitorCommon14–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.44% in Apr
Great Black-backed GullLarus marinusResidentCommon64–79 cmRecorded all year · 0.44% in Apr
SparrowhawkAccipiter nisusResidentCommon28–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.41% in Apr
WhimbrelNumenius phaeopusSummer visitorUncommon40–46 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.38% in Apr
Red KiteMilvus milvusResidentUncommon60–66 cmRecorded all year · 0.37% in Apr
Common Reed-warblerAcrocephalus scirpaceusSummer visitorCommon13–14 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.37% in Apr
Red-legged PartridgeAlectoris rufaResidentUncommon32–34 cmRecorded all year · 0.36% in Apr
Common GullLarus canusWinter visitorCommon40–46 cmRecorded all year · 0.35% in Apr
Brent GooseBranta berniclaWinter visitorCommon55–66 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.34% in Apr
Willow WarblerPhylloscopus trochilusSummer visitorCommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.34% in Apr
CuckooCuculus canorusSummer visitorCommon32–34 cmRegularly Apr–Jul · 0.32% in Apr
Eurasian WigeonMareca penelopeWinter visitorCommon42–51 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.32% in Apr
DunlinCalidris alpinaWinter visitorCommon16–22 cmRecorded all year · 0.31% in Apr
Rose-ringed ParakeetPsittacula krameriResidentUncommon38–42 cmRecorded all year · 0.28% in Apr
House MartinDelichon urbicumSummer visitorCommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.28% in Apr
Grey PloverPluvialis squatarolaWinter visitorCommon27–30 cmRecorded all year · 0.24% in Apr
Common SnipeGallinago gallinagoWinter visitorCommon25–27 cmRegularly Jul–Apr · 0.24% in Apr
YellowhammerEmberiza citrinellaResidentCommon16–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.22% in Apr
Mistle ThrushTurdus viscivorusResidentUncommon26–29 cmRecorded all year · 0.21% in Apr
Ringed PloverCharadrius hiaticulaResidentCommon17–19 cmRecorded all year · 0.21% in Apr
GoldcrestRegulus regulusResidentCommon9–10 cmRecorded all year · 0.20% in Apr
Green SandpiperTringa ochropusWinter visitorCommon21–24 cmRegularly Jun–Apr · 0.20% in Apr
Corn BuntingEmberiza calandraResidentUncommon16–19 cmRecorded all year · 0.20% in Apr
Eurasian NuthatchSitta europaeaResidentUncommon12–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.19% in Apr
StonechatSaxicola rubicolaWinter visitorCommon12–13 cmRecorded all year · 0.18% in Apr
Coal TitPeriparus aterResidentUncommon10–12 cmRecorded all year · 0.18% in Apr
GreenshankTringa nebulariaSummer visitorCommon30–35 cmRecorded all year · 0.18% in Apr
WheatearOenanthe oenanthePassage migrantUncommon15–16 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.18% in Apr
Bar-tailed GodwitLimosa lapponicaResidentUncommon37–41 cmRecorded all year · 0.17% in Apr
Common RavenCorvus coraxResidentUncommon54–67 cmRecorded all year · 0.16% in Apr
Ruddy TurnstoneArenaria interpresWinter visitorUncommon21–24 cmRecorded all year · 0.16% in Apr
Common SwiftApus apusSummer visitorCommon16–17 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 0.14% in Apr
Great White EgretArdea albaResidentCommon80–104 cmRecorded all year · 0.14% in Apr
TreecreeperCerthia familiarisResidentUncommon12–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in Apr
Barn OwlTyto albaResidentUncommon33–39 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in Apr
Bearded TitPanurus biarmicusResidentUncommon13–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.12% in Apr
Grey WagtailMotacilla cinereaResidentCommon17–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.10% in Apr
Water RailRallus aquaticusResidentUncommon23–28 cmRecorded all year · 0.10% in Apr
Common SandpiperActitis hypoleucosPassage migrantCommon18–20 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.09% in Apr
BullfinchPyrrhula pyrrhulaResidentUncommon15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.09% in Apr
Peregrine FalconFalco peregrinusResidentUncommon34–58 cmRecorded all year · records held back in Apr (protected)
Common KingfisherAlcedo atthisWinter visitorCommon16–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in Apr
Grasshopper WarblerLocustella naeviaSummer visitorUncommon12–13 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.08% in Apr
SanderlingCalidris albaResidentUncommon18–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in Apr
RuffCalidris pugnaxWinter visitorUncommon20–32 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.08% in Apr
Northern PintailAnas acutaWinter visitorCommon59–76 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.08% in Apr
RedwingTurdus iliacusWinter visitorCommon20–24 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.07% in Apr
Barnacle GooseBranta leucopsisResidentUncommon58–70 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in Apr
GarganeySpatula querquedulaSummer visitorUncommon37–41 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.07% in Apr
FieldfareTurdus pilarisWinter visitorCommon22–27 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.07% in Apr
Garden WarblerSylvia borinSummer visitorUncommon14–15 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 0.07% in Apr
Golden PloverPluvialis apricariaWinter visitorUncommon26–29 cmRegularly Jul–Apr · 0.06% in Apr
Ring OuzelTurdus torquatusPassage migrantUncommon23–24 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.06% in Apr
Cattle EgretArdea ibisResidentUncommon46–56 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in Apr
Eurasian SpoonbillPlatalea leucorodiaSummer visitorUncommon80–90 cmRegularly Mar–Jan · 0.06% in Apr
Red KnotCalidris canutusWinter visitorUncommon23–26 cmRegularly Aug–Jun · 0.06% in Apr
Tawny OwlStrix alucoResidentUncommon37–43 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in Apr
Arctic TernSterna paradisaeaPassage migrantUncommon33–39 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.05% in Apr
Short-eared OwlAsio flammeusWinter visitorUncommon34–43 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.05% in Apr
HobbyFalco subbuteoSummer visitorUncommon28–35 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.05% in Apr
Mandarin DuckAix galericulataResidentUncommon41–49 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in Apr
Common MerganserMergus merganserWinter visitorCommon58–68 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.04% in Apr
Black SwanCygnus atratusResidentUncommon110–142 cmRegularly Oct–Aug · 0.04% in Apr
Spotted RedshankTringa erythropusSummer visitorUncommon29–31 cmRegularly Jan–Nov · 0.04% in Apr
Red-breasted MerganserMergus serratorWinter visitorUncommon52–58 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.04% in Apr
Little OwlAthene noctuaResidentUncommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Apr
Red-crested PochardNetta rufinaResidentUncommon53–57 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Apr
Greater ScaupAythya marilaWinter visitorUncommon39–56 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.03% in Apr
Eurasian SiskinSpinus spinusWinter visitorUncommon11–13 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.03% in Apr
Lesser Spotted WoodpeckerDryobates minorPassage migrantRare14–16 cmRegularly Jan–May · 0.03% in Apr
Common RedpollAcanthis flammeaWinter visitorUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.03% in Apr
Grey PartridgePerdix perdixResidentUncommon28–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Apr
Jack SnipeLymnocryptes minimusWinter visitorRare17–19 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.02% in Apr
Little GullHydrocoloeus minutusPassage migrantRare25–30 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.02% in Apr
Common RedstartPhoenicurus phoenicurusPassage migrantRare13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.02% in Apr
Marsh TitPoecile palustrisWinter visitorRare12–13 cmRegularly Jun–Apr · 0.02% in Apr
Black TernChlidonias nigerPassage migrantUncommon22–26 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.01% in Apr
Common ScoterMelanitta nigraPassage migrantUncommon43–54 cmRegularly Jul–Apr · 0.01% in Apr
Water PipitAnthus spinolettaWinter visitorUncommon15–17 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.01% in Apr
Black RedstartPhoenicurus ochrurosPassage migrantRare13–15 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.01% in Apr
BramblingFringilla montifringillaWinter visitorUncommon14–16 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.01% in Apr
Purple SandpiperCalidris maritimaWinter visitorRare20–22 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.01% in Apr
FirecrestRegulus ignicapillaWinter visitorUncommon9–10 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.01% in Apr
MerlinFalco columbariusWinter visitorUncommon24–33 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.01% in Apr
KittiwakeRissa tridactylaResidentRare37–41 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.01% in Apr
Pink-footed GooseAnser brachyrhynchusPassage migrantUncommon60–75 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.01% in Apr
OspreyPandion haliaetusPassage migrantUncommon54–58 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.01% in Apr
Eurasian WoodcockScolopax rusticolaWinter visitorRare33–38 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.00% in Apr
Indian PeafowlPavo cristatusResidentRare86–230 cmRegularly Apr–May · 0.00% in Apr
Data: EOD – eBird Observation Dataset (Cornell Lab of Ornithology), accessed via GBIF.org, CC BY 4.0. Records from 2019–2024, aggregated and filtered by Birdfact. How these lists are made